A LOT Polish Airlines flight from Warsaw to Istanbul was struck by lightning Tuesday afternoon, prompting the captain to return to Warsaw Chopin Airport.
Aircraft Struck by Lightning
The incident occurred on Tuesday, April 7th, in the early afternoon as Warsaw and surrounding areas experienced rain and strong winds. A LOT flight departing around 1:00 PM was affected by the challenging weather conditions.
Emergency Landing Procedure
After being struck by lightning, the captain of the Warsaw-Istanbul flight decided to return to Warsaw. The aircraft circled to burn off fuel before landing safely at Chopin Airport, according to LOT spokesperson Krzysztof Moczulski.
Fuel Dumping for Safety
Reporter Artur Węgrzynowicz reported the plane circled over Garwolin with its landing gear extended to expedite fuel burn. Extending the landing gear increases air resistance, facilitating faster fuel consumption.
Why Fuel Must Be Dumped
Dumping fuel is a necessary safety precaution. Aircraft are designed to withstand the weight of the plane, crew, passengers, baggage, and remaining fuel. Attempting to land with a full fuel load could damage the landing gear or cause an accident.
Aircraft Inspection and Return to Service
The aircraft will undergo inspection. If all checks are satisfactory, it is expected to return to service later today. This is standard procedure, and LOT representatives stated such incidents occur “several times a year” on average.