The flight had to turn around 30 minutes into the journey
A flight had to return to Manchester Airport after reportedly being struck by lightning. The Logan Air flight LM26 was travelling from the airport to Aberdeen at around 4.30pm on Thursday, December 5, when it had to suddenly turn around 30 minutes into the journey.
The Manchester Evening News understands the aircraft was struck by lightning, which caused the windshield to crack. It is thought nobody was injured and the flight landed safely.
Trackers, according to FlightRadar24, show the plane flying northwards before looping in the skies above Skipton and returning back to its departure point at around 5pm. The return to Manchester Airport came roughly 29 minutes after take off.
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Earlier on Thursday, Loganair posted about potential disruption due to the weather on X. The airline announced that passengers taking flights from airports affected by the bad weather would have the opportunity to “adjust travel plans without charge”.
They said: “In view of the yellow weather warning forecast for the 5th, 6th and 7th December across parts of the UK and Isle of Man; we are offering customers that may be affected the opportunity to adjust travel plans without charge.”
Airports affected on December 5 and 6, the airline said, include those on the Isle of Man, Liverpool, Manchester, City of Derry Airport, Campbeltown, Islay and Tiree.
On December 7, they include Southampton, London Heathrow, Birmingham, Isle of Man, Manchester, Islay, City of Derry Airport and Newcastle.
It comes after the region was battered by strong winds and heavy rain on Thursday as a yellow weather warning was issued by the Met Office for much of the North West.
A Loganair spokesperson said: “Loganair can confirm flight LM26 from Manchester to Aberdeen was diverted back to Manchester following a lightning strike. The aircraft landed as normal and our team is currently arranging onward travel for customers to reach their final destination.
“The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is of the utmost importance to us at Loganair. We thank our customers for their patience and understanding, and our ground crews for their assistance.”
