Plane is struck by lightning en route to London, but there’s not actually all that much to be worried about
- A BA plane was struck by lightning about 40 miles from its destination
- On average, this happens two or three times per year
- The plane safely landed, with no damage or injuries to report
Published on Jul 09, 2024 at 3:47 PM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Jul 09, 2024 at 9:20 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
A passenger aboard Flight BA919 captured the exact moment the plane got struck by lightning.
The video looks scary and impressive.
But, as it turns out, even though the pilots decided to make an emergency landing, there’s actually not much to worry about.
A British Airways Airbus A320 got struck by lightning while approaching Heathrow Airport in London.
Fortunately, the plane was already flying very close to London when that happened, so the pilots were able to safely land the aircraft at London Gatwick, which is just 40 miles south of Heathrow.
This technically counts as an emergency landing, but the truth is, the situation was a lot safer than it sounds.
What happens when a commercial plane gets struck by lightning
According to the U.S. National Weather Service, commercial passenger planes are hit by lightning a few times every year.
But the thing is, planes are expected to fly through thunderstorms and the possibility of being hit by lightning is taken into account when the airplane is designed.
Generally speaking, large passenger planes can function normally after being struck.
We’re talking about the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320, the recently retired Boeing 747 or the 777 and 787 that replaced the 747.
Having said that, for obvious safety reasons, the industry operates with a zero-risk approach.
Translated, this means that pilots almost always make an emergency landing when possible, and it also means there’s a mandatory inspection for damage after the incident, even when the plane seems to be unaffected.
This is because even though structural damage is extremely unlikely, the electricity of a lightning might compromise some of the electrical components or some of the electronics.
The images used for this article were generated with AI
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
