Ruth Haines
On May 10th, 2010, a tragic incident occurred at El Paso International Airport in Texas, when a mechanic was sucked into the engine of a Boeing 737 during a maintenance-related engine run-up. The Continental Airlines flight, carrying 114 passengers and five crew members, was preparing for takeoff when the accident happened. Sadly, the mechanic, who worked for one of the airline's suppliers, did not survive. This incident highlighted the dangers faced by airport workers when working in close proximity to aircraft engines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | May 10th, 2010 |
| Location | El Paso International Airport, El Paso County, Texas, US |
| Incident | A mechanic was sucked into the engine of a Boeing 737-500 and killed |
| Aircraft | Boeing 737-500 |
| Airline | Continental Airlines |
| Destination | Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston |
| Passengers | 114 |
| Crew | 5 |
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What You'll Learn
- El Paso International Airport is located 4 miles northeast of downtown El Paso, Texas
- It is the busiest commercial airport in West Texas, Southern New Mexico, and North Central Mexico
- The airport has 15 gates across 2 concourses, A and B
- The City of El Paso desired to use airport land for expansion in the 2010s
- Cutter Aviation and Atlantic Aviation serve general aviation at the airport
El Paso International Airport is located 4 miles northeast of downtown El Paso, Texas
El Paso International Airport (EPIA) is located four miles (6 km) northeast of downtown El Paso, Texas. It is the busiest commercial airport in West Texas, Southern New Mexico, and North Central Mexico. The airport has a rich history, dating back to the early days of aviation. The first El Paso Municipal Airport was built near the east side of the Franklin Mountains in 1928, but it closed by 1945. In 1929, Standard Airlines, a division of American Airlines, built what became today's El Paso International Airport as Standard Airport for transcontinental air mail service.
During World War II, the airport served as a United States Army Air Forces training base, hosting several bombardment groups. In 1956, a tragic accident occurred when a prototype Martin XB-51 three-engine attack bomber crashed during takeoff, killing the flight engineer and injuring the pilot, Major James Otto Rudolph. The airport has also witnessed a significant incident in 2010, when a mechanic was sucked into the engine of a Boeing 737, sadly resulting in his death.
El Paso International Airport has two concourses, Concourse A and Concourse B, with a total of 15 gates. It is a focus airport for Southwest Airlines, which accounts for a significant portion of its passenger traffic. The airport offers a variety of shops and restaurants, ensuring a pleasant experience for travellers.
The City of El Paso has shown a commitment to the airport's expansion, working to acquire nearby properties to facilitate its growth. With a long history, a range of amenities, and continuous development, El Paso International Airport serves as a vital aviation hub for the region.
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It is the busiest commercial airport in West Texas, Southern New Mexico, and North Central Mexico
El Paso International Airport (EPIA, IATA: ELP, ICAO: KELP, FAA LID: ELP) is an international airport located four miles (6 km) northeast of downtown El Paso, Texas, US. It is the busiest commercial airport in West Texas, Southern New Mexico, and North Central Mexico.
The airport has a long history, with the City of El Paso building the first El Paso Municipal Airport near the east side of the Franklin Mountains in 1928. This airport closed by 1945, and in 1934, Varney Speed Lines (now United Airlines) began operating at what became the current El Paso International Airport. In 1936, American Airlines "swapped" airports with the City of El Paso, and the El Paso International Airport was born. During World War II, the airport served as a training base for the United States Army Air Forces.
El Paso International Airport has seen several airlines come and go over the years. Standard Air Lines began the first scheduled commercial passenger and mail service to El Paso in 1928, followed by Maddux Air Lines in 1929. Western Air Express, American Airways, and many others have also served the airport. Today, the airport is a focus for Southwest Airlines, which accounts for over half of all passengers. Other major airlines serving El Paso International Airport include Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, American, American Eagle, Delta Airlines, Frontier, and United; United Express.
The airport covers 6,670 acres (2,699 ha) and has two concourses, A and B, for a total of 15 ramps. It handled 4,038,530 passengers in 2024, with 97,737 aircraft operations. The airport has a variety of shops and restaurants and is easily accessible via Sun Metro routes 33 and 208, which pick up outside the terminal.
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The airport has 15 gates across 2 concourses, A and B
El Paso International Airport (EPIA) is located four miles (6 km) northeast of downtown El Paso, Texas, in the United States. It is the busiest commercial airport in West Texas, Southern New Mexico, and North Central Mexico. The airport has 15 gates across two concourses, A and B. Concourse A, used exclusively by American Airlines, has gates A1 to A4, while Concourse B has gates B1 to B11.
The history of aviation in El Paso dates back to the late 1920s. In 1928, the City of El Paso built the first El Paso Municipal Airport near the east side of the Franklin Mountains. Standard Airlines, which later became a division of American Airlines, established the first scheduled commercial passenger and mail service to El Paso in the same year. The following year, in 1929, Maddux Air Lines began service, operating a similar route to Standard Airlines but extending beyond Los Angeles to San Francisco.
The original El Paso Municipal Airport closed by 1945, and during World War II, the current El Paso International Airport served as a training base for the United States Army Air Forces. Various units trained at the airfield, including the 385th Bombardment Group and the 497th Bombardment Group. In 1956, a major accident occurred at the airport when a prototype Martin XB-51 three-engine attack bomber crashed during takeoff, resulting in the death of Staff Sergeant Wilbur Robert Savage and serious injuries to the pilot, Major James Otto Rudolph.
Over the years, the airport has undergone expansions and improvements. In 1971, a significant expansion tripled the size of the terminal. Today, the airport caters to a variety of airlines, including passenger carriers such as Southwest Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines, as well as cargo airlines like FedEx Express and UPS Airlines. The airport also offers an array of shops and restaurants for travellers' convenience.
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The City of El Paso desired to use airport land for expansion in the 2010s
In the early 2010s, the City of El Paso, Texas, recognized the need to expand and enhance its airport facilities to accommodate the growing aviation demands of the region. The existing airport, known as El Paso International Airport (EPIA), had served the city well for decades, but it was reaching its capacity constraints. The city's population was expanding, and with it, air travel was increasing, necessitating a long-term vision to ensure sufficient infrastructure.
Identifying available land suitable for airport expansion was a primary challenge for the city authorities. Scarcity of vacant land adjacent to the existing airport facilities meant that creative solutions had to be considered. The city's attention turned to a parcel of land located just south of the airport, an area that was already home to various industrial and commercial developments.
On May 10, 2010, the city made headlines when it announced its intention to acquire this land for the airport's expansion. The proposed expansion site was approximately 68 acres and was occupied by several businesses, including an industrial park and a recycling center. The city's plan involved purchasing the land and relocating the existing businesses to make way for new airport infrastructure.
The proposed expansion project was met with mixed reactions from the local community and businesses. Some residents and business owners expressed concern over the potential loss of their properties and the impact on the local economy. However, many others recognized the long-term benefits that an expanded airport could bring to the region, including increased economic development, improved travel options, and enhanced cargo capabilities.
The city worked closely with stakeholders to address concerns and develop a comprehensive plan that balanced the needs of all involved parties. This process involved negotiations, impact assessments, and the development of relocation strategies for affected businesses. The city also engaged in open communication with residents, ensuring that any potential disruptions were minimized and that the benefits of the expansion were clearly understood by the community.
The expansion project proceeded with a strong focus on ensuring a sustainable and responsible development process. The city worked towards minimizing the environmental impact of the project, incorporating green initiatives, and seeking to create a more efficient and resilient airport facility. The successful expansion of El Paso International Airport played a pivotal role in accommodating the region's growing aviation demands, solidifying its position as a vital gateway to the southwest United States.
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Cutter Aviation and Atlantic Aviation serve general aviation at the airport
El Paso International Airport (EPIA) is located four miles (6 km) northeast of downtown El Paso, in El Paso County, Texas, United States. It is the busiest commercial airport in West Texas, Southern New Mexico, and North Central Mexico. The airport handled 4,038,530 passengers in 2024, with 97,737 aircraft operations. ELP has two concourses, A and B, with 15 gates and 15 ramps.
Atlantic Aviation, located near the Franklin Mountains, also provides a range of services for general aviation at ELP, including catering and baggage services. They offer a convenient reservation system through the Atlantic Gateway, where customers can easily request services and view real-time updates on any device.
Both Cutter Aviation and Atlantic Aviation play a crucial role in supporting general aviation at El Paso International Airport, ensuring efficient and comprehensive services for pilots, aircraft owners, and passengers.
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Frequently asked questions
A mechanic was killed after being sucked into the engine of a Boeing 737 at El Paso International Airport.
The plane was a Continental Airlines flight to Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
Yes, there were 114 passengers and five crew members boarding the plane at the time of the accident.
Yes, on March 25, 1956, a Martin XB-51 three-engine attack bomber crashed on takeoff, killing Staff Sergeant Wilbur Robert Savage and injuring the pilot, Major James Otto Rudolph.
