Virgin Blue 738 hit by multiple lightning strikes

VIRGIN Blue plane carrying 117 passengers and crew was forced to return to Tullamarine after it was hit by multiple lightning strikes.

Flight 1370 – that departed at 3.40pm today – was 10 minutes into its flight to Launceston in Tasmania when it became a victim of the rugged weather which swept across Victoria.

The Boeing 737 aircraft is believed to have been still climbing to its cruising height above 9000m when jolted by the strikes, although a Virgin Blue spokeswoman said its operating ability was not affected.

The chief pilot decided after the strikes that it would be safer to abort the planned flight and return to Melbourne Airport.

“We are uncertain at this stage whether passengers were aware of the strikes to the aircraft,” the spokeswoman said.

But passengers have told they were startled as the plane was hit.

“There was a loud crack,” one passenger said.

“Probably a couple of times. Then the pilot said he was turning around to Melbourne Airport for safety reasons.”

The Boeing landed without incident.

“The crew are trained to deal with this situation and the pilot followed procedure,” the Virgin Blue spokeswoman said.

Virgin Blue did not have information on damage to the aircraft.

There was no report of injury to any passenger, the spokeswoman said.

While all modern aircraft are built to withstand lightning strikes, the Virgin Blue aircraft is undergoing a full emergency inspection at Melbourne maintenance facilities.

Passengers were waiting in the terminal late today while the airline arranged for a transfer to another flight due to leave later this evening.

The Virgin Blue spokeswoman said flying conditions had been considered safe before take-off.

Source:The Herald Sun