In a heart-stopping moment caught on camera, an airplane flying over Northern California was struck by lightning during a thunderstorm. Despite the dramatic scene, reports suggest that the aircraft managed to land safely.
The video, shared by a local resident on social media, shows a thunderstorm in San Jose as rain falls. As the camera pans to the sky, a plane is seen soaring at a considerable altitude when suddenly, a massive bolt of lightning strikes it.
The intensity of the lightning bolt is evident as it cuts through the plane without halting its course. Although the video ends before the outcome is revealed, comments indicate that the flight landed safely a few minutes later. One passenger described the experience as “hella scary.”
While the plane appeared unharmed, there was visible discharge following the lightning strike. Details about the airline and the passengers’ reactions remain unknown.
Was filming lightning from a severe storm earlier around south San Jose along Monterey Rd and caught a plane struck by lightning! How lucky I was to capture this? (3-30-2024) #lightning #CAwx #severeThunderstorm #severeWeather #BayAreaWeather #stormy @NWSBayArea @NBCBayWeather pic.twitter.com/wyWk2jchOt
— William Justo
(@54stormywill54) March 31, 2024
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How Often Does This Happen:
When lightning strikes a plane, it typically travels along the exterior of the aircraft, following the outer skin made of conductive materials like aluminum. The current then exits the aircraft through another extremity, such as the tail or wingtip, and dissipates harmlessly into the air. The aircraft’s structure is designed to act as a Faraday cage, protecting the passengers and sensitive electronic equipment inside from the effects of the lightning strike. In most cases, passengers may only notice a bright flash and a loud noise, but the plane and its systems remain safe and operational.
On average, commercial airplanes are struck by lightning about once or twice a year. However, modern aircraft are designed to safely withstand lightning strikes, with the current flowing around the aircraft’s exterior and then dissipating harmlessly into the air. Pilots are also trained to handle such situations, so lightning strikes are generally not a major safety concern for air travel.
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