An easyJet aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing after being struck by lightning shortly after takeoff. Flight U28305 was hit not long after departing from runway 08R at Gatwick Airport on Thursday, 14 May at 2.22pm.
Turbulent weather conditions, including strong winds and heavy rain, were reported in the area at the time. The lightning strike was captured on camera and widely shared across social media platforms.
The aircraft continued to climb briefly before the pilots, having reached 16,000 feet, requested permission to land and turned back to Gatwick for a full inspection. The plane, an Airbus A319 registered as G-EZDH, had been scheduled to travel to Milan, Italy, but touched back down at Gatwick just 27 minutes after taking off.
easyJet confirmed that no passengers or crew were injured, and that the aircraft returned 'as a routine precaution'. A spokesperson stated: "EasyJet can confirm that flight U28305 from London Gatwick to Milan diverted back to London due to a lightning strike on the aircraft. The aircraft landed safely and was met by emergency services as a routine precaution."
According to the National Weather Service, aircraft are struck by lightning on average once or twice annually. It notes: "They are designed and built to have conducting paths through the plane to take the lightning strike and conduct the currents."
"Actually, aircraft often initiate the strike because their presence enhances the ambient electric fields typical for thunderstorms and facilitates electrical breakdown through air."
Aircraft must undergo a compulsory inspection following a lightning strike to assess any potential damage. Numerous planes aren't required to be built with lightning protection as standard. There hasn't been a lightning-related commercial transport aeroplane crash in decades.
