Mechanic sucked into engine

[sbn340mech]

Well I work on Pratt&Whitney thingys, the PT6's are basically indestructable, but the 306B's are the biggest pieces of junk I have ever turned a wrench on. Now that P&W is on the 4th redesign of the high pressure turbine blades, hopefully they'll stay on-wing for over 2000 hrs. still way short of the 5,000 tbo

 

[DenverDude2002]

So whats a good distance to be from the engines on a 737/320 sized aircraft when they are starting up/running?

 

[sbn340mech]

Somewhere in the range of 20-25 feet, i think

 

[Junkflyer]

Its also around the inlet area you need to tread carefully. Years ago a mechanic near a 737 (JT8) was behind the lip on the side of the intake and got sucked in. He was stopped by the guide vanes, but still lost his arm. No one had realized at that time the suction area is not just in front of the inlet, it also wraps around the side and extends back about a foot or so. Most operators now have the red stripe painted on the side of the cowls to warn of this.