(CNN) — A mechanic standing near a Boeing 737 at El Paso International Airport in Texas was sucked into one of the engines and killed Monday, officials said.
Continental Airlines Flight 1515 was preparing to take off for Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston when “a maintenance-related engine run-up of the right-hand engine” was carried out, said Roland Herwig, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration’s southwest region in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
“Someone on the ground was sucked into the engine,” he said.
In a written statement, Continental Chairman and CEO Larry Kellner said the person killed was a mechanic who worked for one of the airline’s suppliers.
“My fellow coworkers and I extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of the mechanic involved in this tragic event,” Kellner said.
The 737-500 was carrying 114 passengers and five crew members at the time of the accident, he said.
“Continental is coordinating assistance for passengers who need help dealing with this tragedy,” Kellner said. “Continental’s Employee Assistance Program team is also flying to El Paso to meet with employees.”
He said the incident occurred during a maintenance check in preparation for the plane’s departure.
A spokeswoman for Boeing said Monday’s incident is not the first such accident. “It doesn’t happen very often,” spokeswoman Liz Verdier said.
“It has happened in the past.”
Either way, she said, the responsibility lies with Continental: “The airlines are responsible for their safety procedures.”
The National Transportation Safety Board has sent a team of investigators from its office in Denver, Colorado,Herwig said.
There are some pretty distressing pictures on the net which highlight the importance of situational awareness whilst working on the ramp. The story is available on liveleak.com but not for the fainthearted:(.
By: Cking - 18th May 2010 at 10:31
Years ago, I recall a US Navy mechanic being sucked into the low intake of a F-8 or A-7…and he survived by holding on or someone grabbing his feet.
Wonder if the guy ever got his hearing back?
The A-6 has a set of guide vanes in the air intake. He got caught on them also the A-6’s engine has a set of guide vanes on the engine, just in front of the compressor. The CFM-56, CF-6, RB211, JT-9, ect, etc havn’t got anything infront of the fan.
Rgds Cking
By: wl745 - 18th May 2010 at 05:11
line accidents
Much more dangerous than those big whirly things with yellow painted tips of long ago!!
By: oafkad - 17th May 2010 at 23:32
Just the other week I saw photos of the US Navy’s new 737-based ASW aircraft and noticed it had the familiar red warning chevrons on its nacelles.
Now I see why.Years ago, I recall a US Navy mechanic being sucked into the low intake of a F-8 or A-7…and he survived by holding on or someone grabbing his feet.
Wonder if the guy ever got his hearing back?
There was another guy who only survived because he was wearing a helmet. I don’t recall the mechanics of it but it somehow saved his life. They had video of him getting sucked into the jet, looked like a rag doll :/
By: Scouse - 17th May 2010 at 23:13
Years ago, I recall a US Navy mechanic being sucked into the low intake of a F-8 or A-7…and he survived by holding on or someone grabbing his feet.
Wonder if the guy ever got his hearing back?
I take it you mean this incident involving an A-6? Broken collarbone and a ruptured eardrum, but that was all, apparently.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF3Iz7b95-8&NR=1
By: ThreeSpool - 17th May 2010 at 22:30
Gruesome. They demand respect, along with inflated wheels, nitrogen and oxygen rigs, among other things…
By: EGTC - 17th May 2010 at 22:15
Gosh thats horrible 🙁
By: Arabella-Cox - 17th May 2010 at 21:47
ah, this story is 4 years old?
Yes I noticed that after I read the report. It isn’t very obvious on the website. Still it should remind airport workers of the dangers of being in the proximity of aircraft engines.
By: dan BHX - 17th May 2010 at 20:50
aweful pictures.
By: Cking - 17th May 2010 at 19:48
This keeps hapening with the 737-3/4/500’s There was a guy ingested in Moscow after the incident that the pictures show. I think that there has been at least three incidents of this kind on the 737’s.
And yet the ground staff STILL take risks. I had to speak to a security guard on saturday that was a little too close to a 757 when it taxied onto stand. He said “It would have to be pretty powerful to such me in” I told him the story and spoke to his supervisor.
It will happen at Manchester:mad:
Rgds Cking
By: NYRangerfan1994 - 17th May 2010 at 19:34
ah, this story is 4 years old?
By: Arabella-Cox - 17th May 2010 at 19:28
Apparently the plane was boarded and many passengers witnessed the accident. They had to be counseled afterwards.
By: J Boyle - 17th May 2010 at 19:22
Just the other week I saw photos of the US Navy’s new 737-based ASW aircraft and noticed it had the familiar red warning chevrons on its nacelles.
Now I see why.
Years ago, I recall a US Navy mechanic being sucked into the low intake of a F-8 or A-7…and he survived by holding on or someone grabbing his feet.
Wonder if the guy ever got his hearing back?
By: KabirT - 17th May 2010 at 19:14
Yikes! 😮
That is a very rare accident to happen, poor soul!
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May 17, 2010 at 7:07 pm