Aircraft technician dies after platform collapses on him

Aircraft technician dies after platform collapses on him

He was too young to die. That was the first thought that ran through Mr Balasaravan's mind when he received the news of his brother-in-law's death.

SIA Engineering Company's (SIAEC) aircraft technician Puvanalingam Balakrishnan, 34, died in the hospital yesterday from severe head and leg injuries. Mr Puvanalingam was walking under the aircraft docking system platform at SIAEC's hangar near Changi Airport when the platform collapsed on him.

Mr Gary Ho, a senior lecturer in Temasek Polytechnic's Aviation Management and Services diploma course, said the weight of the platform depends on the size of the docking system. This can range anywhere between a few hundred kilograms and a few tonnes.

Mr Puvanalingam, a Malaysian national who has been working at SIAEC for the past 12 years, leaves behind a wife and two daughters. TNP understands that his wife also works in Singapore. Still in a state of shock and disbelief, Mr Balasaravan had only good things to say about the victim, repeating every few sentences that he was a "very nice person" .

Said Mr Balasaravan: "He really loved his job at SIAEC. Whenever he had the chance, he would talk about his job. Even during gatherings, we would hear him talking about planes." Mr Balasaravan added that his brother-in-law was "very attached to his family".

"He was very broad-minded, caring, and loved his family very much. He had a good number of friends as well, and even had his own group of superbikers. That was one of his hobbies."

Clear Picture

Now, Mr Balasaravan is just waiting to get the "clear picture" from the relevant authorities on how the mishap could have happened.

Mr Puvanalingam's two daughters, aged one and six, have not been told about their father's death. "I don't worry about the youngest because she is too young to know anything," Mr Balasaravan said. "We haven't told the elder sister anything yet. I don't know how she's going to take it.

"Hopefully, the family knows we are there to give them the support they need." An SIAEC spokesman said they are "deeply saddened" by the incident.

"We are rendering assistance to the family in this difficult time," he added. Investigations are ongoing, said a Ministry of Manpower (MOM) spokesman.

"MOM has instructed the occupier to stop work at the accident location," he added. 

How the tragedy happened

1. Thursday, 2.30pm

The operator of the docking platform at an SIA Engineering Company hangar tries to lower the docking platform but fails as the circuit breaker trips.

2. 3.15pm

On the third try, the platform suddenly collapses after a pair of screw jacks fail.

3. Walking below

Lead technician Puvanalingam Balakrishnan is walking below the docking platform to inspect the fire extinguishing system in the forward cargo hold of the aircraft.

4. Platform crushes him

An in-house medical team rushes him to hospital with severe head and leg injuries.

5. Friday

He dies in hospital.


Get The New Paper for more stories.

This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.