While the expression “like being struck by lightning” is used to describe things that occur very infrequently, the risk is higher for planes due to how high they fly.
According to statistics from the National Weather Service, the average commercial aircraft gets hit by lightning between once and twice per year, although injuries to anyone inside are extremely rare, as planes are built to withstand such strikes through conducting currents in the plane.
“Actually, aircraft often initiate the strike because their presence enhances the ambient electric fields typical for thunderstorms and facilitates electrical breakdown through air,” the NWS writes on its website.
“There were people yelling and screaming,” traveler recounts
One such incident occurred on Tuesday, Oct. 7, on an Air New Zealand flight from Auckland to Dunedin on the country’s South Island.
The flight that typically takes just under two hours had to divert to Christchurch Airport (CHC) close to its end as widespread lightning strikes descended upon the small island country.
The struck occurred at 7 a.m. local time and shook the entire cabin of the Airbus A320 (EADSF) .
Later meteorological reports recorded as many as 482 thunderstorms and lightning strikes over northern New Zealand in the early hours that morning.
Related: Watch: A plane was hit by lightning shortly after takeoff
Upon the ground in Christchurch, passenger Quincy Sio described hearing a “deafening bang” and feeling the plane “shaking violently” before seeing “a large, orange fireball’” outside his window.
“Everyone was s**t scared,” Sio described to journalists from local outlet NZME. “Everyone was off their seat. There were people yelling and screaming, it was crazy.”
No physical injuries were reported from the incident, but since standard procedure is to take any plane that was hit by lightning out of commission for an inspection, the ensuing flight back to Auckland was canceled.
Another flight to the largest city in New Zealand was added to the route network for the end of the day on the same plane, while some travelers were also placed on earlier flights.
Lightning strikes in New Zealand have increased in recent years.
Image source: Getty Images
“The aircraft is now undergoing standard engineering checks”
“The aircraft is now undergoing standard engineering checks,” Air New Zealand Chief Operations Officer Alex Marren said in a media statement.
“As a result, NZ676 Dunedin-Auckland was canceled. We are reaccommodating customers on alternate services and have added an additional flight from Christchurch to Dunedin to ensure all passengers reach their destination.”
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While no footage of the incident was captured in time to appear on social media, other travelers aboard the flight described it as the scariest moment of their lives, even if it was all over in a few seconds and the plane landed safely.
Kiwi meteorologists have been drawing attention to the fact that lightning strikes have increased in both frequency and intensity over the last few years.
In December 2024, another Air New Zealand plane on the way to the Tahitian capital of Papeete was similarly struck by lightning just 20 minutes after taking off for the five-hour flight.
“Lightning strike is not uncommon and our pilots are trained for this scenario,” Marren said in a statement similar to what is said each time such incidents occur.
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