Worker struck by plane propeller at Newark Liberty Airport

NEWARK, New Jersey -- An airport worker in New Jersey was hospitalized after being hit by a plane propeller at Newark Liberty Airport early Saturday.

The accident happened at about 2:20 a.m. opposite Terminal A, according to Port Authority police.

The victim, a 54-year-old resident of Orange, N.J., was struck by a CommutAir plane that was not on the runway at the time.

Ohio-based CommutAir operates flights for United Express.

The injured woman, who works as a cleaner for a private company, suffered a head injury and was hospitalized in critical condition.

Officials say the accident didn't disrupt airport operations.

The airplane was in a maintenance area opposite Terminal A, the Port Authority said.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)