Lightning Striking Again

Sept. 30, 2010
Traveling through the southeast this week, I saw some amazing lightning storms. The recent tropical disturbances brought wind and rain, but also thunder and lightning. Many of us think that once the summer thunderstorms are over, the risk of lightning strikes diminishes. But that is dangerous thinking if you work around airplanes on the ramp. Lightning can occur during any season but remains prevalent during hurricane season across much of the country, but especially along the coasts. Every year people die in lightning strikes. Some of those deaths occur on airports where simple precautions could have made the difference between life and death. It should be standard practice at airports large and small, that if lightning is visible anywhere in the area you should not be near aircraft or other metal objects. Aircraft and vehicles have rubber wheels so if lightening hits them, the charge is going to be looking for a ground and you don’t want yourself, co-workers or employees to become that ground. Most airports have lightning strike guidelines, which everyone should be familiar with.  But sometimes the pressure to get the aircraft loaded or fueled and on its way, causes normally cautious people to lose their caution. I still remember the ramp supervisor in northern Florida who grew upset when his fuelers refused to refuel an aircraft because the airport had posted a lightning warning. The aircraft was behind schedule and he decided to refuel it himself. Sadly, he was hit and killed by a lightning strike.