A British Airways flight traveling from Stuttgart to Heathrow Airport was diverted to Gatwick Airport after reportedly being struck by lightning.
According to the report, BA919 had to make an unscheduled landing at Gatwick just before 2:25 pm on Sunday, July 7th, 2024. A British Airways spokesperson confirmed the flight had experienced “adverse weather conditions” but did not provide further details.
The Met Office reported heavy and thundery downpours with “frequent lightning” across parts of England, including London, on the day of the incident. No injuries or damage to the aircraft were reported.
While some passengers may be alarmed by the idea of a plane being hit by lightning, experts say it is a relatively common occurrence. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration states that a commercial jet is struck by lightning an average of “one or two times a year.”
Planes are designed with safety features to withstand lightning strikes and conduct the electrical currents through the aircraft.
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Passengers were transported to their intended destination of Heathrow Airport after the unscheduled landing at Gatwick. British Airways apologized for the “inconvenience to our customers’ travel plans” caused by the diversion.
