VANCOUVER- During takeoff from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Sunday, an Air Canada (AC) Boeing 777-300ER experienced a lightning strike.
The aircraft, which was set to embark on a 10-hour intercontinental journey from Canada’s West Coast to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), continued its flight after the incident and safely landed.
Air Canada Flight Struck by Lightning
Despite Boeing facing ongoing challenges in quality control, this rare occurrence highlights the robust design of aircraft, showcasing their capability to withstand lightning strikes.
Ethan West, a planespotter and student pilot, found himself fortuitously situated in a park beyond the end of the runway when a Boeing 777 experienced a lightning strike during takeoff.
His initial purpose was to capture the aircraft’s departure, as the Boeing 777’s loud engines made it one of his favorite planes.
West expressed his curiosity about the potential outcome, pondering if the aircraft might need to divert due to established checklists. He acknowledged that there wouldn’t be any serious issues, but he was intrigued to know if passengers knew the situation.
Faraday Cage Effect
While the video footage captured was dramatic, it’s important to note that large aircraft have various features to protect occupants from lightning.
The Flight Safety Foundation explains that the inherent design of an aircraft’s hull serves as a Faraday cage, shielding everyone inside.
Even in modern airliners utilizing composite materials, conductive fibers are integrated into the fuselage to maintain the Faraday cage effect.
The fuel systems are also constructed robustly to prevent lightning burn-through ignitions, and the avionics incorporate sturdy surge suppression mechanisms and shielded cables.
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