Lightning strike at Naia leaves mechanic critical

An airplane mechanic remained in critical condition Friday after being struck by lightning while at work the previous night at Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s Terminal 3.

Sheldon Balang, an employee of Aviation Partnership Philippines Corp., also known as A+, was servicing a Cebu Pacific aircraft when a lightning bolt hit the tail around 7:30 p.m., according to reports reaching the Pasay City police and the Manila International Airport Authority.

The 25-year-old Balang absorbed the electric shock as he was then wearing a headset connected to the plane’s communication system. He was knocked unconscious and suffered second-degree burns in the head.

The plane was being prepared for departure at that time and had no passengers yet, while the city was under heavy downpour.

Balang was brought to the clinic of the Cebu Pacific office and then to San Juan de Dios hospital in Pasay. He was later transferred to Makati Medical Center, where he remained confined Friday.

In a statement, Cebu Pacific said it was coordinating with A+ regarding the assistance being extended to the injured mechanic.

According to a Naia official who requested not to be named, the aircraft’s highest point apparently attracted lightning under such weather conditions despite the lightning arresters installed at the terminals to prevent such incidents. Niña P. Calleja and Maricar Brizuela