On July 3, 2024, Chabahar Konarak Airport in southern Iran was the site of a deadly accident involving aviation mechanic Abolfazl Amiri. While doing routine maintenance on a Boeing 737-500, Amiri was tragically pulled into the aircraft’s engine. At the time of the incident, the right-wing engine was running for a test check.
Amiri was a local technician employed by Varesh Airlines. On the day of the accident, he was working on the Boeing 737-500, which had arrived from Tehran at 7:15 a.m. A safety zone was established around the engine as per the standard procedure, and the engine cover flaps were opened for the test. Upon realizing he had left a tool on the engine, Amiri attempted to retrieve it and was tragically drawn into the operational turbine engine, causing a fire.
Emergency teams arrived promptly, extinguished the fire, and managed to recover Amiri’s remains. The Iranian aviation authority has initiated an investigation to ascertain the cause of the incident. Meanwhile, the aircraft has been grounded for a comprehensive examination.
This unfortunate incident underscores the inherent risks associated with proximity to a jet engine. There have been similar incidents in the past. In May 2024, a person was fatally pulled into a KLM Embraer 190 engine during a pushback procedure at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. Witnesses on board described a “hellish noise” and thick black smoke emanating from the engine. Legal authorities believed the incident was an intentional act of suicide.
In June 2023, 27-year-old David Renner was fatally drawn into a Delta Airlines plane engine at San Antonio International Airport. His death was later ruled a suicide.
On December 31, 2022, Courtney Edwards, 34, an airline worker, was killed when she was sucked into an Embraer E175 engine while performing her duties.
