Friday, February 6, 2004 · Last updated 5:27 p.m. PT

Lightning hits airplane on ground at Sea-Tac airport

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SEATAC, Wash. -- Lightning struck an airplane on the ground Friday at
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, slightly injuring a worker.

Thirty people were aboard the Horizon Air plane when lightning struck it
about 2:20 p.m. as it was preparing to depart for Pocatello, Idaho,
airport spokesman Bob Parker said.

The injured man was working next to the plane, wearing a headset plugged
into a jack on the side of the aircraft, Parker said. When lightning hit
the plane, the headset wire conducted some of the charge to the worker.

Parker said the man was conscious and alert when he was taken to a local
hospital. His condition was not known. No one aboard the plane was injured.