Panic on board a plane after the aircraft was hit by lightning on takeoff

A SriLankan Airlines flight bound for Sydney was forced to return to Bandaranaike International Airport on June 12 after being struck by lightning during takeoff. The Airbus A330-243 aircraft was carrying 207 passengers and 16 crew members when pilots detected signs of a possible lightning strike amid adverse weather.

Following the suspected lightning impact, the crew observed issues with one of the engines and made the decision to abort the flight to Sydney. The aircraft safely returned to Colombo as a precautionary measure. Passengers recounted hearing a loud explosion and seeing what appeared to be flames emanating from the left engine.

Despite the alarming experience, no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew. The airline has initiated an investigation to determine if the aircraft was indeed struck by lightning, to analyze the reported engine problems, and to assess the crew's response and the aircraft's technical condition.

This incident follows a similar event earlier in the week where an American Airlines flight from London to the United States had to turn back shortly after takeoff due to a suspected lightning strike. The flight, AA735, was en route to Charlotte Douglas International Airport when the crew transmitted an emergency code 7700 while flying over Manchester. The aircraft landed safely back at London Heathrow.

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au auzit o explozie puternică și au văzut ceea ce păreau a fi flăcări la motorul stâng