Mechanic sucked into jet engine Fatal accident occurred as aircraft prepared to fly to Houston (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.

Submitted on 01/16/2006

Submitted by: Richard Herbert
Reference: CNN Website, January 16, 2006

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James said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I'm giving this guy a DA because rule number ONE is "NEVER go ANYWHERE NEAR an operating jet engine"! Maintenance of jet engines is usually performed under the strictest supervision (in the military, at least), and unless there is a MAJOR communications breakdown, this rule is HARD to violate. According to the latest news clips, the victim was seen "walking in front" of the operating engine. Even the least aviation-minded among us know that a jet sucks air in one end and blows it out the other!

Greg said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I agree with James. Even if there WAS a major communications breakdown, the guy's a mechanic - he has to know where's safe and where isn't! And it's very difficult not to notice a jet engine winding up!

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