Overview
- EasyJet flight U28305 to Milan was hit by lightning shortly after takeoff from Gatwick on Thursday, with the flash captured on camera, and landed back safely 27 minutes after departure.
- Pilots climbed to about 16,000 feet to check systems, declared priority, and were vectored for an immediate approach to runway 08R.
- No passengers or crew were injured, and the Airbus A319 registered G‑EZDH was met by airport fire and rescue as a precaution.
- EasyJet said customers received refreshments in the terminal while a replacement crew and aircraft took them to Milan later that evening.
- Modern airliners route electrical charge around the fuselage like a Faraday cage, and the aircraft now faces mandatory checks of its structure and instruments after the strike.