The De Havilland Canada DHC-8 was grounded for inspection after the strike on Tuesday, postponing a return flight to Toronto until the next day
A passenger plane en route to Sault Ste. Marie was struck by lightning mid-air but landed safely on Tuesday, Air Canada confirms.
Company spokesperson Véronique Poitras said in an email that Air Canada Express flight 8201 from Toronto Pearson International Airport was struck by lightning during its descent into Sault Ste. Marie Airport.
In a recording of the approach, the tower staff at the Sault Ste. Marie Airport acknowledged the strike.
“Jazz 201, I was advised you were hit by lightning. Is there any system errors or do you need any assistance there or is everything all good there?” asked the tower staff in the recording.
“All good for Jazz 201,” replied the flight crew.
On its website, Transport Canada says thunderbolts do not generally affect aeronautics, although pilots can sometimes be temporarily blinded during a strike.
“In a metal airplane, the crew is sheltered from the direct effects of an electrical discharge,” Transport Canada says.
In an email, the Transportation Safety Board said it is not investigating the incident.
“An aircraft being struck by lightning is not a reportable incident to the TSB unless there is substantial damage to the aircraft or if it becomes difficult to control,” said TSB spokesperson Hugo Fontaine. “As we did not receive a report of this occurrence, we are not involved.”
The U.S. National Weather Service says a commercial plane is hit by lightning an average of one or two times per year.
“Actually, aircraft often initiate the strike because their presence enhances the ambient electric fields typical for thunderstorms and facilitates electrical breakdown through air,” the service says.
The affected aircraft was a De Havilland Canada DHC-8, which was grounded for inspection after the incident.
“As per our standard operating procedures, the aircraft was inspected and evidence of a lightning strike was found on the nose of the aircraft,” said Poitras.
A news tip to SooToday noted passengers scheduled for a return flight on Wednesday were moved to a Thursday flight without compensation for hotel or land transportation.
Poitras did not directly address questions about accommodations not being offered to travellers, but offered the following: “Passengers were booked on the next available flight and we sincerely apologize to customers for the disruption.”