Posted on 04/23/2002 11:01:11 AM PDT by Pharmboy
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In most cases, airplanes can sail through lightning storms with little consequence. But according to a recent report, it is possible--albeit highly unlikely--that a person could be struck by lightning while inside an airplane.
The report describes the first known case of a flight attendant who suffered long-term effects after he was struck by lightning while seated in the rear section of the plane. There was no damage to the plane or to other passengers.
"Lightning strikes to commercial airplanes in flight are relatively common, yet passengers and crew are seldom injured," write Dr. Michael Cherington from St. Anthony Hospital in Denver, Colorado, and colleagues. "We believe the case reported here is the first in the medical literature where the occupant of an airplane has suffered long-term effects from a lightning-induced electrical event."
According to the report in The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care, the man felt a tingling throughout his body and then saw a bright flash shortly after take-off. He looked out the window and saw lightning strike the plane. One witness said that a ball of light surrounded the man for a brief period, and sparks of light emanated from his body.
Co-workers noted that the man remained mildly confused as the flight continued. That night he experienced nausea, headache, ringing in his ears and numbness in his left arm. An initial neurologic exam the following day was normal but subsequent visits revealed that he had lost some feeling in his left arm and tenderness in his spine. Ten weeks later the man continued to complain of headaches, insomnia and forgetfulness.
A scan of the patient's brain 4 months later showed some small abnormalities suggestive of nerve damage. Continued testing found moderate memory loss and deficits in attention and concentration. Nearly 2 years after the incident, the flight attendant remained forgetful and continued to be treated for persistent headaches. He was also undergoing cognitive rehabilitation therapy.
About 100 deaths and more than 1,000 injuries are caused by lightning strikes each year in the US, the report indicates. The man's symptoms are typical of patients who are struck by lightning on the ground, Cherington's team points out. However, this case is the first in which a person was affected by lightning while inside an airplane, they note.
SOURCE: The Journal of Trauma 2002;52:579-581
Here come the second coming crowd......
Co-workers noted that the man remained mildly confused as the flight continued.
Definitely my boss.
No wait........
I'll have to put it on my "to do" list. I don't plan to fly for a while.
Currently thinking "week at the beach, avoid sharks and hurricanes."
Ergo the probability is smaller than being hit by a meteorite.
Talk about some bad luck...phew!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.