Boeing 777 Leaving Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport Hit by Lightning

**kellyhound** · #1 ● 11-14-2017, 02:30 AM

A KLM Boeing 777-300ER, operating as flight KL743, experienced a lightning strike shortly after taking off from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport on its way to Lima, Peru. The dramatic incident was captured in footage that shows a bolt of lightning hitting the nose of the aircraft.

Despite the lightning strike, the Boeing 777-300ER continued its flight without any apparent disruption and landed at Lima airport on schedule, 12 hours and 40 minutes later. This incident highlights the resilience and safety measures of modern aircraft, particularly in handling lightning strikes.

Lightning strikes on airplanes are not uncommon and typically hit a plane's extremity, such as a wing tip or the nose. Modern aircraft are designed to withstand such strikes. The aluminum surface of the airplane allows the current to travel through the plane's exterior until it exits through the tail. While pilots sometimes report electrical issues and interference with instruments following a lightning strike, the aircraft's critical systems are well-protected.

Newer airliners, like the Dreamliners and the Airbus A350, are made from carbon composites covered with a thin layer of copper, providing additional protection against electric currents. Fuel tanks are also safeguarded, with metal covering fuel caps, vents, and access doors designed to withstand extremely high temperatures.