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A stunning video has captured the intense moment a commercial airliner was struck by lightning mid-flight. The incident occurred during a journey from Vancouver to London, with over 400 passengers aboard the Air Canada Boeing 777.
As reported by Dailymail on Thursday, the footage, captured by aviation enthusiast Ethan West, showcased the powerful lightning bolt hitting the plane directly shortly after its departure from Vancouver Airport in Canada. Despite the dramatic nature of the event, the aircraft continued its journey without any disruptions and safely landed at London Heathrow as scheduled.
While the sight of lightning striking an aircraft might instill fear in onlookers, modern planes are equipped with advanced materials, such as carbon composite coated with a thin layer of copper, designed to safely conduct electricity around the aircraft, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew on board.
Passengers onboard likely did not perceive any effects from the lightning strike, as the aircraft’s structure is designed to handle such occurrences without endangering those inside. Upon arrival at London Heathrow, Air Canada confirmed that the aircraft underwent inspection to ensure its continued safety.
Lightning strikes on planes are relatively rare, occurring once or twice a year on average, according to the National Weather Service. These incidents often happen during turbulent weather conditions or when planes pass through clouds during ascent or descent.
Although lightning strikes can be visually striking, they pose minimal risk to modern aircraft and passengers. The occurrence of such events varies based on geographical location and atmospheric conditions.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
