A video is circulating online of a plane being struck by lightning shortly after taking off from Vancouver Airport, City News reports.
The man who shared the footage of the disaster said it happened on Sunday, March 3, shortly before 7:30 p.m. Ethan West noted that he was watching planes at Vancouver International Airport when he saw one of his favorite aircraft, a Boeing 777-300ER.
The video shows an Air Canada plane en route to London Heathrow taking off from YVR before being struck by lightning.
“I saw a 777-300 take off that was going to London Heathrow, and the 777 is one of my favorite planes, the biggest twin engine plane, so I thought it would be interesting to make a short video because it’s very loud. I was just wondering what would happen, would they have to deviate. Because I know there are instructions that they have to follow. I knew there wouldn’t be any major problems, but was just wondering if they would change course and if they knew passengers, what’s going on,” said the author of the video.
It is reported that there were passengers and crew members on board. Air Canada officials confirmed that a plane departing from Vancouver was struck by lightning on Sunday. He continued his 10-hour journey to London Heathrow Airport, where he landed safely, they added.