Watan-Social media users circulated a terrifying video showing a plane being struck by lightning while flying in the skies of Canada shortly after taking off from Vancouver International Airport.
The footage, captured on March 3rd, showed a plane believed to be operated by Air Canada being hit by a powerful lightning strike at the beginning of its ascent into the sky.
The plane appeared to sway slightly, but despite the incident, it continued its journey to Heathrow Airport in London without any apparent impact.
Statistics indicate that passenger planes are struck by lightning once or twice a year.
Don’t worry about lightning from now on!
No need to worry about lightning from now on! Aircraft accidents due to lightning strikes have occurred but are no longer considered dangerous according to a report from the American National Lightning Safety Institute.
There have been nine serious aircraft accidents due to lightning strikes, with the last one occurring in 1988.
I’m glad I wasn’t on that flight.
Shocking footage captured shows a plane hit by lightning near Vancouver International Airport, British Columbia pic.twitter.com/R65thu6ZjL— David Vance (@DVATW) March 5, 2024
According to British pilot “Hammond,” in the past, aircraft metal structures were not insulated as they are today.
Hammond adds: “I remember on one flight to San Francisco, USA, a lightning strike hit the plane I was piloting, and suddenly all the data disappeared from the cockpit screens, and we were only saved by airport staff and their equipment prepared to face these conditions.
Today at the end of our crazy storm storm chase, @CharlieBourdo and me saw this plane taking off at @MKEairport and almost getting hit by lightning!!! #wiwx #wxtwitter #airplane #Milwaukee #Wisconsin pic.twitter.com/NGyj67gMmt
— CJ Ziegler (@StormChaser_CJ) March 5, 2024
Today, there is a complete network of transparent material integrated into the aircraft’s metal, which works to prevent and mitigate the effects of electrical energy, much like a bandage on a wound.