"Two O'Hare airport terminals lose power"

Monday, July 12, 2004

Two O'Hare airport terminals lose power
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


CHICAGO -- An electrical explosion Monday at O'Hare International
Airport knocked out power to two terminals, delaying some flights and
injuring two workers who had been upgrading the electrical system,
officials said.

Chicago Aviation Commissioner John Roberson said the outage did not
affect the air traffic control towers but some flights were delayed
because electricity was cut to many security checkpoints, forcing
workers to manually screen passengers and baggage.

"Security was never compromised in any way during this time," Roberson
said. He said he didn't know how many flights were delayed.

The explosion happened around noon when a subcontractor performing
maintenance on part of the airport's electrical system inadvertently
separated some wires, Roberson said. Two workers were taken to a
hospital with first- and second-degree burns.

Aviation department spokeswoman Annette Martinez said power had been
fully restored to one terminal and some security checkpoints and lights
were back on in the other.

American Airlines and U.S. Airways were the carriers most affected. The
outage affected parts of two terminals, including escalators, elevators
and ventilation.


 Do you have an opinion about this story?
Share it with other readers in our CAA Discussion Forums

http://www.californiaaviation.org/dcfp/dcboard.php


*****************************************