KLM Cityhopper flight was forced to return to Amsterdam after experiencing a lightning strike.
KLM aircraft flying from Amsterdam to Cardiff experiencing a lightning strike over the North Sea.
The Embraer 170-200 departed Amsterdam Thursday, February 22 2024 at 17:05 CET and was only 15 minutes into the flight when the incident occurred.
The aircraft (registration PH-EXK) climbed to FL290 then the crew decided to turn around to return to the KLM base instead of diverting to the UK.
METAR at the closet airport (Southend Airport) during the incident shows ceiling was at 1,000ft with visibility only 4.5 km.
The plane landed back at Schiphol Airport 56 minutes after departure and passengers deplanned.
Another aircraft (registration PH-EXS) operated the flight less than one hour later.
