Terror as British Airways flight struck by lightning on way to Heathrow

Passengers endured horror on a British Airways flight after their plane had to be diverted following a lightning strike.

The flight was forced to divert to Gatwick during its journey from Stuttgart to Heathrow. "The crew were amazing when our flight got struck by lightning on the approach to Heathrow," passenger Jeco said, according to The Sun. "It was shocking. The flight had to divert to Gatwick."

British Airways said: "BA919 diverted to Gatwick earlier this afternoon due to weather related conditions in the region. The flight landed just before 2pm. Customers were driven from Gatwick to Heathrow."

Lightning strikes on commercial planes are common. The airline Pegasus said research shows "very aircraft is struck by a lightning once a year on average."

The company added: "If an aircraft is struck by a lightning, it can cause a radiant light and a strong rumble along with shakes. In case of a lightning strike, passengers should remain calm and follow the flight attendant’s instructions."

Planes are painted with an anti-static paint and are engineered in such a way that lightning goes back into the air. Generally, no or minor damage is caused by lightning but passengers can become alarmed by explosion sounds.

"Only the small parts on the aircraft’s outer body might get harm but it is quite predictable in case of a lightning strike," Pegasus said. "When the electricity is discharged through lightning, it can create explosion sounds. But there is no need to worry."

The strike on the BA plane comes after a plane en route to New York from Belgium was forced to make an emergency landing in Dublin after reporting two separate incidents onboard. The United Airlines flight UA998 was forced to touch down in Ireland in June owing to a disruptive passenger on board, as well as a reported medical incident.

Kevin Cullinane, Deputy Director of Communications at the airport, said at the time: "Flight UA998 from Brussels to New York's Newark Airport diverted to Dublin Airport this afternoon due to reports of two separate incidents - a disruptive passenger and a suspected medical issue - on board. Appropriate protocols were put in place by Dublin Airport Operations and Airport Police for the arrival of the aircraft and Gardai, National Ambulance Service and HSE personnel met the aircraft on arrival. "

A spokesman for United said: "United flight 998 from Brussels to New York/Newark landed safely in Dublin on Monday because of a disruptive passenger. Separately, a medical situation was identified with a different passenger.

"Medical personnel in Ireland investigated and cleared the flight to continue with the removal of one disruptive passenger, one ill passenger and one other person traveling with the ill passenger. The flight has re-departed for New York/Newark."