Airline Mechanic Sucked into Engine; Passengers Were Boarding Plane When the Accident Occurred

By TAMMY FONCE-OLIVAS

El Paso, Texas – An airplane mechanic was sucked into a plane’s jet engine and killed in what officials said is a rare occurrence that stunned passengers and employees at the El Paso International Airport.

The mechanic, whose name was withheld until relatives could be notified, was working on the plane about 9 a.m. when he was suddenly pulled into the jet engine of a Continental Airlines plane bound for Houston.

"It was a Boeing 737 and it was doing an engine run up for a maintenance problem and a person was sucked into the engine," said Roland Herwig, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration in Oklahoma City.

Herwig referred further inquiries to the office of the National Transportation Safety Board in Denver. Officials would not say what kind of maintenance was being performed on the plane.

NTSB officials in Denver and Washington D.C. did not respond, but local airport officials said the federal agency was sending an investigative team to El Paso.

Martin DeLeon, a Continental Airlines spokesman from Houston who flew to El Paso after learning about the fatality, said the victim worked for one of Continental s suppliers. DeLeon said he did not know the names of the victim or the supplier company.

"My fellow co-workers and I extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of the mechanic involved in this tragic event," said Larry Kellner, chairman and chief executive officer of Continental Airlines.

"Continental is coordinating assistance for passengers who need help dealing with this tragedy. Continental’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) team is also flying to El Paso to meet with employees."

DeLeon said he did not know if other Continental flights were delayed because of the incident. He also said it was unknown Monday if the airline will alter its safety procedures.

"Right now, it’s still kind of too early to tell since this incident occurred just a few hours ago," DeLeon said. "Our main focus right now is just working with the families (of the victim and passengers) and of course working with local and federal authorities on the investigation."

The plane, which carried 114 passengers and five crew members, was at the gate boarding passengers when the incident occurred.

Many of the passengers, who gathered at the Continental Airlines counter after they deplaned, declined to comment because they were overwhelmed by what had just occurred.

Patsy Yturralde of El Paso, who was going to Houston, said she and other passengers were told to leave the plane because "somebody got hurt."

She said she didn’t see the incident, but quickly caught on to what had happened.

"It’s a sad situation. I feel bad for his family," she said.