An engineer has been killed at the Woodbourne Airport near Blenheim this morning.

The man was working at an engine maintenance bay operated by Safe Air, who has confirmed he died during a "routine maintenance check".

Police and fire engines are at the scene, and the Department of Labour is assisting with the investigation.

The 51-year-old local man was killed in a remote corner of the airfield which is used by commercial carriers and by the Airforce for training new pilots.

Unconfirmed reports say the man was sucked into an engine.

Stuff has reported the Hercules C-130 engine the man was working on has been taken away so his remains can be recovered.

Emergency services were called at 8:10am, Police southern communications team leader Mike Murphy told the New Zealand Herald.

Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe and Group General Manager Technical Operations Vanessa Stoddart are travelling to Blenheim to support the engineer’s family, friends and colleagues