LOT Plane Struck by Lightning, Inspection Required
A LOT aircraft was struck by lightning above Pruszków, according to reporter Artur Węgrzynowicz of Filmogaz.com. The crew managed the situation and kept the flight under control.
After the strike the aircraft did not retract its landing gear. It circled over Garwolin to burn off fuel before landing.
Incident timeline
PLL LOT spokesman Krzysztof Moczulski confirmed the lightning hit. He said the captain decided to return to Warsaw forty minutes later.
The plane landed in Warsaw in normal mode, not as an emergency. The carrier described the event as a LOT Plane Struck by Lightning, handled per procedure.
Technical inspection and next steps
Per company rules, an Inspection Required was initiated in Warsaw. That is where LOT maintains its technical support facilities.
Moczulski said no damage was detected on initial checks. Nonetheless, the aircraft underwent a full standard technical inspection.
The airline estimated the inspection would take two to three hours. Officials added the plane should be back in service no later than one day.
Passengers and safety context
Passengers bound for Istanbul continued their journey on another aircraft. The carrier coordinated rebooking and onward travel.
Lightning strikes on aircraft occur more often than many assume. A flight attendant described how such strikes feel and addressed whether they present danger to those on board.
- Location of strike: above Pruszków.
- Circuit pattern: circles over Garwolin to burn fuel.
- Touchdown: Warsaw, normal landing, 40 minutes after strike.
- Inspection: expected 2–3 hours; full technical review in Warsaw.
- Passengers: rebooked to another plane to Istanbul.
