Sunday, August 05, 2012

Lightning strike sees Virgin jet forced back to Adelaide airport

A VIRGIN Australia flight was forced to return to Adelaide yesterday when lightning struck a wing. 

 The Brisbane-bound E190 aircraft was carrying 77 passengers and was hit shortly after taking off at 6.05am.

Adelaide comedy promoter Craig Egan was on flight DJ1385 and saw the lightning strike the wing.

"I certainly saw the fork hit the wing and we went up a little bit further," he said.

"Everyone was looking around wondering what happened ... There was nothing really wrong with the plane except (there was) a bit of turbulence."

Mr Egan said there were a few "oohs and ahs" at the flash of light but the crew handled it well, telling passengers they would return to Adelaide and then board other flights to Brisbane at no additional cost.


"There were a few people that were a little upset and I saw some people get off the plane and say they didn't want to get on another flight, they just wanted to go home," he said.

A Virgin Australia spokeswoman said lightning striking planes was an everyday occurrence worldwide.

The plane will undergo a routine safety inspection in Adelaide.

Meanwhile, Adelaide Airport's new multi-level, short-term car park opens this morning.

It is more than double the size of the old park.


http://www.adelaidenow.com.au

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