00:04A blinding flash in the night sky, a loud bang heard across the cabin, and terrified
00:12passengers watching flames erupt from an aircraft engine at 35,000 feet. What began as a routine
00:20flight from Colombo to Sydney quickly turned into a mid-air emergency after a Sri Lankan
00:27Airlines jet was struck by lightning shortly after takeoff. But thanks to the swift actions
00:33of the flight crew, all 233 people on board made it back safely.
00:39The incident unfolded in the early hours of June 12. Sri Lankan Airlines flight UL606 and
00:47Airbus A330, bound for Sydney, had departed Colombo carrying 217 passengers and 16 crew
00:55members. Around 45 minutes into the journey, while the aircraft was still flying within
01:00Sri Lankan airspace, disaster struck. The aircraft was hit by lightning during adverse weather
01:07conditions. Passengers reported hearing a powerful explosion-like sound. Moments later, some travelers
01:15seated near the wings reported seeing flames and sparks coming from one of the aircraft's
01:20engines. Inside the cabin, anxiety quickly spread. Many passengers feared the worst. But in the cockpit,
01:28the crew immediately assessed the situation and declared an emergency. Following standard aviation
01:35safety procedures, the pilots decided not to continue the long-haul flight to Australia. Instead,
01:41they turned the aircraft around and headed back toward Colombo. Air traffic controllers cleared the
01:47emergency return while airport authorities prepared for the aircraft's arrival. Shortly after 1.40 a.m. local
01:55time, the Airbus A330 touched down safely at Bondaronica International Airport. Emergency services were
02:03standing by on the runway, but thankfully their assistance was not needed. All passengers and crew
02:09disembarked safely. No injuries were reported. Sri Lankan Civil Aviation Authority later confirmed that the
02:17aircraft had indeed been struck by lightning. Officials praised the professionalism and quick decision
02:23making of the flight crew, crediting them with ensuring a safe outcome. The airline described the
02:29return as a precautionary measure taken in response to the weather-related incident. While the images and
02:36eyewitness accounts may sound alarming, aviation experts note that lightning strikes are actually
02:41relatively common. However, any indication of possible engine damage requires immediate inspection and
02:49safety checks. That is exactly what happened in this case. Engineers began examining the affected
02:55engine as soon as the aircraft returned to Colombo. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Airlines arranged a replacement
03:01aircraft for stranded passengers. After a delay of more than five hours, travelers were able to resume their
03:08journey to Sydney. Thunderstorms, strong winds and lightning activity are common across the region at this
03:14time of year. Despite the dramatic circumstances, aviation authorities say the event demonstrates how
03:21modern aircraft design and rigorous pilot training continue to keep passengers safe even during unexpected
03:28emergencies. Subscribe to One India and never miss an update. Download the One India app now.
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