Lightning strikes AA passenger on tarmac at CAE / Columbia, SC
Jun 28, 2015, 10:09 pm
#1
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Lightning strikes AA passenger on tarmac at CAE / Columbia, SC
Last edited by cblaisd; Jun 29, 2015 at 6:53 am Reason: Made link live
Jun 29, 2015, 6:53 am
#2
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Per http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...-how-post.html will send this to the appropriate destination forum while leaving a permanent re-direct in Travel News.
cblaisd, Moderator, Travel News
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Jun 29, 2015, 10:32 am
#3
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Summary: The Saturday AA flight from BDL / Hartford to CLT / Charlotte was diverted to CAE / Columbia Metropolitan Airport due to bad weather at CLT.
CAE was itself experiencing stormy weather, and as she was walking across the Tarmac from the aircraft, the passenger was struck by lightning. She was taken to hospital, and was said to be in a stable condition.
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/news/local/a...#storylink=cpy
CAE was itself experiencing stormy weather, and as she was walking across the Tarmac from the aircraft, the passenger was struck by lightning. She was taken to hospital, and was said to be in a stable condition.
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/news/local/a...#storylink=cpy
Jun 29, 2015, 11:13 am
#4
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CAE has only 8 jetbridges, not all of which are AA+US. I suspect there were more diversions than the jetbridges could handle... not an uncommon situation. As to whether the ground staff erred in judgment, someone with more knowledge of the facts would have to say.
Jun 29, 2015, 11:15 am
#5
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I think the latter could be endlessly debated.
But it once again shows why DFW, among others, experiences ramp shut down when lightning strikes are possible. Not everyone struck by lightning is fortunate enough to survive or not be severely injured.
Jun 29, 2015, 11:28 am
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I do find it strange that many airports vacate the tarmac employees when lightning is anywhere near the airport but they don't for passengers? The story is pretty short and not much details so it could have been the first strike in the area. Even the comments say the airport picture is very old.
Jul 1, 2015, 8:57 am
#8
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I was on board a departing M80 at BNA during a ramp hold while a TS passed. Lightning did strike, causing some excitement among passengers and considerable delay afterward. I'll never complain about a ramp hold again.
Aug 6, 2015, 1:04 pm
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I do find it strange that many airports vacate the tarmac employees when lightning is anywhere near the airport but they don't for passengers? The story is pretty short and not much details so it could have been the first strike in the area. Even the comments say the airport picture is very old.
If nothing else, that would be a SIDA violation to have unescorted, non-SIDA badged people on the tarmac.
Aug 6, 2015, 2:04 pm
#11
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Now we have a good understanding of why they shut down the ramp if lightning is sighted near the airfield, to protect the ramp workers.
Aug 6, 2015, 2:07 pm
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Aug 6, 2015, 2:18 pm
#13
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We were allowed off about 5 minutes later.
Aug 6, 2015, 3:27 pm
#15
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A couple of days after this happened, someone was complaining about another airline delaying their flight because there was lightning in the area. They couldn't understand why the employees had to clear the tarmac. I just posted a link to this incident. Unfortunately, that person still couldn't figure out why the tarmac needed to be cleared if lightning is anywhere in the area.