Departed safely: Lightning strikes aeroplane on take-off

Video captured last Sunday shows the moment lightning struck an aeroplane in Canada immediately after take-off, fortunately there were no issues with the flight.

It is the nightmare situation for any nervous flier, last Sunday a Boeing 777 departing Vancouver, Canada experienced a direct hit by lightning. Despite this, the flight continued on its journey to London, where it landed safely.

There was heavy rain and snowfall in Vancouver for the departure, sleet may also have been present. The snow and ice crystals in the clouds caused an electrical voltage to build up, which discharged in the form of lightning.

A lightning strike on an aircraft can be frightening, but usually has no serious consequences. Aircraft are designed to withstand lightning strikes both in the air and on the ground. Passengers are protected by the so-called Faraday cage.

If a strike connects, electricity hits the aircraft, is discharged along the fuselage and leaves the aircraft again. Modern aircraft are also equipped with lightning protection systems to minimise potential damage caused by lightning strikes.

The situation is not as rare as you may imagine. Data from the International Air Transport Association shows most aeroplanes are struck by lightning once every 1,000 flight hours, equivalent to once or twice per year.

Strikes hitting an aircraft are most likely when flying in near-freezing temperatures and around 60% occur between March and July.

It is not just lightning from thunderstorms either, many aeroplanes generate lightning while ascending during take-off, this is known as aircraft induced lightning.

While major damage is very unlikely, any aeroplane struck by lightning is inspected for damage after landing. Checking for singe marks or paint chips. Engineers work to find the entry, and exit, point of any strike to ensure all is well.