Mechanic sucked into jet engine

A mechanic was sucked into a jet engine and killed today while passengers were boarding a plane in El Paso, Texas, officials said.

National Transportation Safety Board spokeswoman Lauren Peduzzi said she did not know if any passengers saw the accident, which involved a Boeing 737-500 operated by Continental Airlines.

Peduzzi said there had been an earlier problem with the engine, so its metal covering was open at the time.

A total of 114 passengers and five crew members were boarding.

The flight was cancelled.