The dizzying moment when a plane flying over Belgium was struck by lightning was captured and became a hot topic.
According to local media such as the British Daily Mail and the Belgian media Brussels Times on the 26th, at around 1:35 pm on the 22nd (local time), a TUI Airlines flight from Brussels, Belgium to Hurghada, Egypt was struck by lightning in the sky immediately after takeoff. occurred.
Immediately after the accident, the plane returned to Brussels Airport, Belgium. “There was no risk to passengers, but the flight was diverted to Brussels airport as a precaution,” TUI spokesman Piet Demeyer said.
A passenger who was on board the plane at the time of the accident described the accident to local media, saying, “Suddenly there was a flash of light and an explosion, followed by a slight burning smell from the cabin.”
The airline initially planned to take off the plane where the accident occurred on the same day, but departure was delayed due to disruptions due to technical maintenance and legal flight working hours restrictions. Accordingly, the airline was found to have provided meal coupons and hotel accommodations for passengers.
The flight from Brussels to Hurghada eventually resumed normal operations on the 23rd (local time), the day after the accident.
Also, on the same day, lightning was captured on a cargo plane bound for Qatar from Brussels, Belgium, attracting attention.
The Daily Mail released video captured in the black box of a car passing on a highway in Brussels at the time of the accident. The video shows a cargo plane being pierced by a sudden lightning strike. The lightning that passed through the cargo plane appears to fall straight to the ground.
However, a spokesperson for Brussels Airport told local media, “(The cargo plane) did not need to return despite being struck by lightning.” In fact, it is reported that the cargo plane did not return but continued its operation and arrived safely in Qatar.
Meanwhile, accidents involving airplanes flying overhead being struck by lightning are said to be common occurrences. Airline pilot Doug Morris claimed in his 2022 book ‘This Is Your Capitan Speaking’ that “according to statistics, an airliner is struck by lightning every 5,000 hours, or once a year.”
“Lightning can cause some instruments to malfunction, but it’s generally not a serious problem,” he said. “There can be only superficial damage as the lightning comes in at one end and goes out the other.” . However, he advised, “After being struck by lightning, an inspection is necessary to check whether the airplane’s electronics have malfunctioned.”
(Seoul = Newsis)
Source: www.donga.com
