B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 225; Flight Crew Total 15000; Flight Crew Type 8000
Human-Machine Interface; Distraction; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Person / Animal / Bird
General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Human Factors; Company Policy; Aircraft; Procedure
I pulled into the gate with the #1 engine running as per our new procedure. I was waiting for ground power to be connected and after 2 or 3 signals from the [ground crewman] I concluded that the GPU was inop. I immediately started the APU and once it was online I shut down the #1 engine. I witnessed some screaming and commotion outside but didn't know what happened. I was informed by the [outbound Captain] that the left wing walker approached the aircraft while the engine was running and was almost sucked in and killed. The thought of something like that happening on my flight is very scary.
When there was a delay in shutting down the left engine of the B-737 at the gate due to being unable to power the aircraft with the GPU; a wing walker walked in front of the engine and was nearly sucked into it.