Video footage captured the shocking moment a plane carrying 400 people was struck by lightning on Sunday. The Air Canada Boeing 777 was en route from Vancouver to London when it was suddenly illuminated by a huge bolt of lightning. On board were eager travelers ready to commence their journey, but little did they know that the plane would soon encounter a terrifying experience. The bolt of lightning struck the aircraft shortly after takeoff, making for a compelling image captured by Ethan West, an aviation enthusiast. Fear raged as the lightning bolt hit the plane square on before continuing towards the ground on the other side.
Despite the terrifying sight for those on the ground, passengers on the plane felt nothing. The thunderous sound and bright flash of the lightning may have been visible, but it posed no danger to those on board. According to Executive Flyers, modern planes are designed to withstand lightning strikes, thanks to carbon composite and a thin copper layer that conducts electricity around the aircraft, keeping the travelers safe. Upon landing in London Heathrow, the plane was thoroughly inspected to ensure that no damage had affected the safety of the flight.
The U.S. National Weather Service reported that a commercial aircraft is struck by lightning on average once or twice a year. This may seem like a high number, but when you consider the thousands of planes in the sky at any given moment and their speeds of over 500mph, it becomes a more understandable occurrence. Aviation experts believe that the very fact that the plane is in the sky increases the likelihood of a lightning strike, as the bolt seeks its quickest route to a solid ground. The plane seems to act as a magnet, attracting the lightning to its metal body.
The high risk periods for lightning strikes on aircraft are between March and July, with most occurring when the plane is ascending or descending and passes through clouds. Lightning strikes are responsible for the majority of crashes attributed to this natural phenomenon, with nine recorded incidents. Seven of these were commercial airliners, while the remaining two were military planes. Most of these crashes occur when the aircraft is flying at low altitudes, with the 1971 LANSA Flight 508 being the worst of them all, claiming the lives of 91 of the 92 people on board.
Despite these sobering statistics, flying remains one of the safest modes of transportation. Air travel continues to be the preferred method for long-distance journeys and shows no signs of slowing down. Modern airplane designs and advanced technology have made lightning strikes a less dangerous occurrence, and the lightning safety measures implemented by airlines have greatly increased the odds of safe air travel. As for the passengers on the Air Canada flight, this lightning strike will surely make for a memorable story to share with family and friends.
