A recent viral video captured the heart-stopping moment when a plane, carrying 400 passengers from Vancouver to London, was struck by lightning mid-flight. The Air Canada Boeing 777 encountered the lightning strike shortly after departing from Vancouver Airport, but thankfully, there were no casualties. The aircraft landed safely at London Heathrow, much to the relief of everyone on board.
The video, filmed by aviation enthusiast Ethan West, who dreams of becoming a pilot, shows the lightning bolt hitting the plane directly. Despite the dramatic scene, the flight continued without any disruptions, thanks to the advanced safety measures in modern aircraft. These planes are equipped with materials like carbon composite coated with copper, which conduct electricity around the aircraft, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew.
While witnessing a lightning strike on a plane may seem alarming, passengers are typically unaware of any effects. They may see a flash of lightning or hear thunder, but they are not in danger of being directly struck. Upon landing at London Heathrow, the aircraft underwent a thorough inspection to confirm its safety, as is standard procedure after such incidents.
Lightning strikes on planes are relatively rare, occurring once or twice a year on average. Most strikes happen in near-freezing temperatures at high altitudes or during turbulent conditions. The occurrence of lightning strikes can vary based on geographical location, with a higher frequency between March and July.
Despite the rarity of lightning strikes on aircraft, there have been recorded incidents of plane crashes attributed to lightning. The most devastating of these was the 1971 LANSA Flight 508, which tragically resulted in the loss of 91 out of 92 passengers and crew.
It is essential to remember that while lightning strikes on planes can be a frightening experience, modern aviation technology and safety protocols ensure that passengers are kept safe. The video of this recent incident serves as a reminder of the incredible forces of nature that commercial flights navigate daily.
