A British Airways plane waiting for London at Sao Paulo International Airport in Brazil was struck by lightning. The footage recorded by a passenger shows that lightning struck the tail of the plane several times. So what happens when planes are hit in the air or while parked?
A passenger plane waiting on the apron at Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) was struck by lightning. Lightning struck the tail section of a British Airways Airbus A350-1041 aircraft several times and was recorded by passenger Bernhard Warr.
Speaking on the subject, Warr said, “Flights had stopped due to the storm. While looking out the window, I saw lightning strike near the airport. So I went to get some footage. I was lucky and the lightning struck right in front of me!”
The plane, which was waiting to go to Heathrow International Airport in London, was taken under detailed examination after the lightning strike and was not allowed to take off. The aircraft, after the necessary inspection and maintenance work was completed, was able to take off after approximately 6 hours.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A PLANE IS STRIKED BY LIGHTNING? Planes getting struck by lightning during flight or while stationary is among the most common situations in aviation. It is stated that each plane is struck by lightning once a year on average.
Since planes are designed for lightning strikes, this does not pose a problem. The body of the aircraft, which acts as a Faraday cage in the event of a lightning strike, allows the energy to disperse into the air without damaging the interior of the aircraft and its engines. Aircraft paints also have antistatic properties. This also prevents the electrical charge from passing inside the aircraft. The fuel tank and other mechanisms are also protected against lightning strikes.
Although lightning strikes cause minor damage to the body of the aircraft, they do not cause any problems inside. Of course, as in this incident, aircraft can only take off after a long examination and control after a lightning strike. Faraday Cage: This system, invented by English physicist Michael Faraday in 1836, is an enclosure coated or knitted with conductive metal that protects the inside from the external electrical field.
IT CRASHED A THY PLANE LAST YEAR
In January 2024, THY flight number TK-2408, tail registered TC-JHK, was struck by lightning shortly after takeoff from Istanbul Airport at 09:25 for its flight to Antalya.
Thereupon, the pilot of the plane returned to Istanbul Airport and landed without any problems.
