Finnair A320 near Helsinki on Nov 19th 2016, lightning strike

Last Update: November 19, 2016 / 23:14:36 GMT/Zulu time

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Photo of Finnair OH-LXF, Airbus A320 — Finnair OH-LXF, Airbus A320 (Photo credit: ChrisJWarman / Flickr / License: CC by)

Incident Facts

Date of incident
Nov 19, 2016

Classification
Incident

Cause
Lightning strike

Airline
Finnair

Flight number
AY-427

Departure
Helsinki, Finland

Destination
Rovaniemi, Finland

Aircraft Registration
OH-LXF

Aircraft Type
Airbus A320

ICAO Type Designator
A320

Airport
Helsinki Vantaa Airport, Helsinki

Airport ICAO Code
EFHK

A Finnair Airbus A320-200, registration OH-LXF performing flight AY-427 from Helsinki to Rovaniemi (Finland) with 166 people on board, had just levelled off at cruise FL300 about 100nm north of Helsinki when the crew decided to return to Helsinki following a lightning strike. The aircraft landed safely back about 45 minutes after departure.

A replacement Airbus A321-200 registration OH-LZA reached Rovaniemi with a delay of 2 hours.

The airline reported the A320 was struck by lightning about 30 minutes after departure when it entered a rain cloud.

The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Helsinki about 12 hours after landing back.

Metars:
EFHK 191320Z 20024KT 9999 SCT019 BKN200 06/02 Q1008 NOSIG
EFHK 191250Z 19021G31KT 9999 BKN017 07/04 Q1007 NOSIG
EFHK 191220Z 20022KT 9999 BKN017 07/03 Q1007 NOSIG
EFHK 191150Z 19020KT 9999 SCT016 BKN055 06/03 Q1006 NOSIG
EFHK 191120Z 19020KT 9999 SCT017 BKN025 07/03 Q1006 NOSIG
EFHK 191050Z 18018KT 9999 VCSH BKN014 SCT030CB 07/04 Q1005 TEMPO BKN015
EFHK 191020Z 18017KT 9999 FEW009 BKN012 FEW030CB 06/04 Q1005 NOSIG
EFHK 190950Z 19016KT 9999 SCT011 06/04 Q1005 NOSIG
EFHK 190920Z 19016KT 9999 SCT012 BKN060 06/04 Q1005 NOSIG
EFHK 190850Z 19017KT 9999 SCT013 06/03 Q1005 NOSIG
EFHK 190820Z 19018KT 9999 SCT013 BKN020 06/04 Q1004 NOSIG