Yes they can! However, only if the first stage of the engine is rotating. With some jet engines the first row of blades rotate (a compressor stage) but with others, the first row of blades is fixed (stators). If a person is sucked up into one of these engines there will be some degree of bodily harm but not necessarily fatal. Hitting that row of stators at high speed would bruise “everything”.
Several years ago a mechanic instructor was showing a new trainee how they accomplished “trim checks” on a J-57 engine. The student moved just enough (so he could see, they’re sitting under the engine running at near full power) and the engine suction (at full power) pulled him right up into the intake. It was winter and cold so the kid had on cold weather clothing which really helped. The kid impacted that first row of stators and blocked a good amount of the intake air. In a turbine engine combustion chamber(s) the heated air exhausts out the back of the engine because of all the high pressure air coming in from the intake. With this incoming air blocked, there was a great and instantaneous “compressor stall” where the hot air is coming out BOTH ends of the engine. Blew the kid several feet out the FRONT of the engine where he landed in a great singed, bruised heap on the ramp. He recovered very nicely and probably was a lot more careful after that.
I ALWAYS fussed at my students, “In aviation (just like in life) you MUST pay attention, or suffer the consequences.” Be alert, the world needs more ‘alerts’!
Author – Stu Anderson, Alaska Pilot, ATP CFII, Beech 1900, 1300, 350, 300, 200, A36