New Zealand engineer dies after being sucked into plane engine

An aircraft engineer in New Zealand has reportedly been killed after he was sucked into a plane engine during a routine maintenance check

He entered the testing enclosure when the engine was running at Woodbourne Airport, near Blenheim, Courier Mail reports.

The engineer was working for Safe Air, an aviation maintenance, repair, overhaul, design and manufacturing business that works on both commercial and military aircraft.

Woodbourne Airport manager Dean Heiford said the incident happened in a section of the airport used by Air New Zealand group.

He said the engineer died in the airport''s engine testing bay, which is not attached to a plane when they are tested.

Safe Air said it was co-operating with investigations launched by police and the Department of Labour.