Citation

Spieth ME, Kimura RL, Schryer TD. J. Natl. Med. Assoc. 1994; 86(9): 713-715.

Affiliation

Department of Radiology, King-Drew Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90059.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, National Medical Association (USA))

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7966436

PMCID

PMC2607583

Abstract

Andersen Air Force Base in Guam boasts the tallest control tower in the Air Force. In 1986, an air traffic controller was struck by lightning as the bolt proceeded through the tower. Although he received only a backache, the lightning left a hole with surrounding scorch marks on his fatigue shirt and his undershirt. The lightning strike also ignited a portion of the field lighting panel, which caused the runway lights to go out immediately. Lack of a lightning rod is the most likely reason the controller was struck. Proper precautions against lightning strikes can prevent such occupational safety hazards.

Language: en