ISTANBUL- UAE flag carrier Emirates Airlines (EK) flight EK123, operated by an Airbus A380 registered as A6-EDO, encountered a lightning strike during landing at Istanbul Airport (IST). The Middle East carrier was operating flight from its hub, Dubai In’l Airport (DXB).
Despite the lightning strike, the aircraft landed safely and taxied into its parking position. Subsequently, passengers disembarked, and the technical team conducted a thorough inspection of the plane, reported HavaSosyalMedya.
Emirates A380 Lightning Damage
Following the inspection, minor damage to the front landing gear cover was identified, leading to the aircraft undergoing maintenance for a brief period.
To address the damage, the technical teams utilized “Speed Tape,” a pressure-sensitive aluminum tape employed for minor repairs on aircraft.
This temporary repair material allows for swift fixes until a more permanent solution can be implemented. Approximately 5 hours later, after the necessary maintenance procedures, the aircraft received flight approval.
For clarification, Speed Tape resembles duct tape in appearance but is specifically designed with an adhesive capable of adhering to the fuselage or wing of an aircraft at high speeds, hence its name.
Similar Incident
In May 2023, Spirit Airlines (NK) flight 2214, with service between Philadelphia International Airport to Cancun International Airport, diverted to PHL just 1 hour after takeoff. The reason for the diversion was a double-lightning strike.
Flight 2214 is Spirit’s daily direct service between the Pennsylvania capital to the famous Mexican tourist destination of Cancun. The flight departs at 10:05 and lands in Cancun at 13:59. The ultra-low-cost carrier uses its Airbus A321 aircraft on the route.
Eight minutes after taking off and reaching an altitude of 7,950 feet, the aircraft descended and flew in circles numerous times around Philadelphia. At 16:03 UTC, the A321 landed at PHL.
The crew members were heard stating they had been struck by lightning twice on air traffic control recordings between the pilots and Philadelphia air traffic controllers.
In a report provided to CNN, the airline said that the aircraft had landed safely and was operating to accommodate passengers affected by the incident.
According to the United States National Weather Service, on average, most commercial aircraft are struck by lightning once or twice yearly. The last time a commercial aviation crash occurred because of a lightning strike was in 1967, according to an article in Time Magazine from 2018.
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