(AP) — Rep. Lee Terry has issued an apology for his attempt at a joke to explain his tardiness to a congressional committee hearing held to question General Motors officials about faulty car ignition switches responsible for at least 13 deaths.

In the televised hearing Tuesday, the Nebraska Republican apologized for being late, explaining that his flight to Washington was canceled for mechanical reasons. He then added “probably an ignition switch.”

The comment drew widespread criticism. Some family members of those killed in defective GM cars were present at the hearing.

Terry apologized later Tuesday, saying he had no intention of being insensitive.