Lightning strikes are one of the rare but calculated risks of air travel. But when an airline is affected by them twice within a few hours, it attracts attention. Air New Zealand, New Zealand's national airline, experienced two incidents with its aircraft in the second week of December. Despite the safety technology of modern aircraft, the events led to flight cancellations, delays and extensive safety checks.
On December 9, an Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9 was scheduled to depart John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) for Auckland (AKL). However, flight NZ1 had to be cancelled after the aircraft was struck by lightning during a thunderstorm. According to flight data, the aircraft, registration ZK-NZL, remained grounded overnight while maintenance and safety inspections were carried out.
Air New Zealand accommodated affected passengers in hotels and rebooked them on alternative flights, including connections with American Airlines and United Airlines. The technical incident and the resulting extended inspection times led to the crew exceeding their maximum duty hours, which ultimately made it necessary to cancel the flight.
On December 10, the aircraft finally took off after successful maintenance work and completed its return flight to Auckland without further incident. According to reports, the aircraft resumed its regular service a few days later on routes to Melbourne and Honolulu.
Second incident: Lightning strike on a Boeing 777 after takeoff in Auckland
No sooner had the effects of the first lightning strike been dealt with than another Air New Zealand aircraft fell victim to a similar incident just hours later. A flight from Auckland to Papeete, French Polynesia, was struck by lightning on December 9.
The Boeing 777-300ER, registered as ZK-OKV, had encountered a thunderstorm shortly after its delayed takeoff at around 20:38 p.m. Around 20 minutes after takeoff, the pilots decided to return to Auckland International Airport out of caution. There, comprehensive safety inspections were carried out to rule out any possible damage.
Passengers who originally wanted to travel to Papeete were able to continue their journey on a replacement flight on the same plane. Passengers on the return flight to Auckland also experienced delays because they had to be rebooked for the next day.
Air New Zealand's handling of lightning strikes
Lightning strikes on airplanes are not uncommon in aviation. Modern airplanes such as the Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 777 are equipped with a conductive outer shell that allows the electric current to flow away safely. In addition, the Faraday cage, a proven physical principle, protects passengers from electrical charges and electromagnetic fields.
Despite these safety measures, aircraft must be thoroughly inspected after a lightning strike to rule out potential damage. The electronic systems and the outer shell in particular play a crucial role in this.
Air New Zealand stressed in a statement the routine of its safety procedures and the high level of training of its crew. According to Alex Marren, the airline's chief operating officer, the inspections in the case of flight NZ1 took longer than expected, which made the cancellation of the flight unavoidable.
Passenger reactions and future challenges
The affected passengers were mostly understanding, but also expressed displeasure on social media about delays and the organizational effort involved in rebooking. Especially on long-haul flights, such incidents can mean considerable disruption for travelers with tight schedules or connecting flights.
For Air New Zealand, these dual incidents are a test of its operational procedures and crisis management. However, the airline's focus remains on the safety of passengers and staff, as demonstrated by its rapid actions and clear communication strategies.
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