Overview
- The Milan-bound easyJet service, which left Gatwick at 2:22 pm Thursday, was struck by lightning in stormy weather and turned back.
- Pilots climbed to about 16,000 feet to run system checks, declared priority, and then landed without incident.
- Gatwick and the airline said no injuries occurred, and the crew followed standard emergency procedures.
- Passengers received refreshments in the terminal while a replacement aircraft and crew completed the trip to Milan later that evening.
- Modern jets are designed to channel lightning safely, and the aircraft will be inspected before returning to service, with U.S. weather officials noting airliners are typically struck once or twice a year.