Swiss A333 at Newark on Nov 15th 2025, lightning strike

Last Update: November 17, 2025 / 07:25:02 GMT/Zulu time

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Incident Facts

Date of incident
Nov 16, 2025

Classification
Incident

Cause
Lightning strike

Airline
Swiss International Airlines

Flight number
LX-18

Departure
Zurich, Switzerland

Destination
Newark, United States

Aircraft Registration
HB-JHA

Aircraft Type
Airbus A330-300

ICAO Type Designator
A333

Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark

Airport ICAO Code
KEWR

A Swiss International Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration HB-JHA performing flight LX-18 from Zurich (Switzerland) to Newark,NJ (USA) with 120 people on board, was descending through about 11000 feet towards Newark when the aircraft received a lightning strike prompting the crew to request priority. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on Newark's runway 22L about 15 minutes later.

The airline confirmed a lightning strike, as a precaution the crew requested a priority landing. Maintenance detected traces of a lightning strike, the return flight was cancelled and the passengers rebooked onto other flights.

Passengers reported cabin crew were just performing the final checks for landing when a loud bang and bright flash occurred, a burning smell on board developed and disappeared again. The flight crew announced they had just received a lightning strike, all systems were working normally. The aircraft was received and checked by emergency services after landing.

The aircraft is still on the ground in Newark about 32 hours after landing.



Metars:
KEWR 170201Z 28009KT 10SM -SN BKN050 BKN070 07/M07 A2954 RMK AO2 SNB00 P0000 T00671067 $=
KEWR 170151Z 27008KT 10SM BKN055 BKN080 07/M07 A2954 RMK AO2 SLP002 VIRGA T00671072 $=
KEWR 170051Z 30009KT 10SM BKN075 07/M08 A2953 RMK AO2 SLP998 T00671078 $=
KEWR 162351Z 30010G18KT 10SM SCT075 07/M08 A2951 RMK AO2 PK WND 28031/2300 SLP993 60000 T00671083 10133 20067 51041 $=
KEWR 162251Z 30018G36KT 10SM FEW055 BKN070 BKN090 08/M07 A2949 RMK AO2 PK WND 31038/2232 SLP987 T00781067 $=
KEWR 162151Z 29025G38KT 10SM FEW060 SCT080 BKN100 09/M05 A2942 RMK AO2 PK WND 30040/2128 RAB2055E08 SLP963 VIRGA P0000 T00891050 $=
KEWR 162051Z 29018G29KT 10SM FEW050 SCT065 BKN090 09/M04 A2939 RMK AO2 PK WND 29047/2001 RAB03E15 SLP951 VIRGA P0000 60000 T00941039 53028 $=
Aircraft Registration Data
Registration mark
HB-JHA
Country of Registration
Switzerland
Date of Registration
L njmmlqhg mnA Subscribe to unlock
Certification Basis
Njhifb Subscribe to unlock
Airworthyness Category
IcdjkfcAqefhhnjc Subscribe to unlock
Legal Basis
Jqlk Subscribe to unlock
TCDS Ident. No.
LiAdiclljp Subscribe to unlock
Manufacturer
AIRBUS S.A.S.
Aircraft Model / Type
A330-343
ICAO Aircraft Type
A333
Year of Manufacture
Jqdg Subscribe to unlock
Serial Number
GlAl Subscribe to unlock
Aircraft Address / Mode S Code (HEX)
Mffjff Subscribe to unlock
Max. Operational Passenger Seating Capacity (MOPSC), indicative
Hdi Subscribe to unlock
Minimum Crew
E Subscribe to unlock
Maximum Take off Mass (MTOM) [kg]
JAccje Subscribe to unlock
Engine Count
J Subscribe to unlock
Engine
Ndcbmlmfekmjcgcdhcecqkff jpnbkqAlj Subscribe to unlock
Main Owner
H Subscribe to unlock
Main Operator
bnlbbmffcjlcehbpkhqedmbmfbi bdjpjgpj fmefkmipAcgpephmfqbbAlgAfAdcfpjqg qkmbpe jhk Subscribe to unlock
Incident Facts

Date of incident
Nov 16, 2025

Classification
Incident

Cause
Lightning strike

Airline
Swiss International Airlines

Flight number
LX-18

Departure
Zurich, Switzerland

Destination
Newark, United States

Aircraft Registration
HB-JHA

Aircraft Type
Airbus A330-300

ICAO Type Designator
A333

Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark

Airport ICAO Code
KEWR

This article is published under license from Avherald.com. © of text by Avherald.com.
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