QF862 Lightning strikes forces 737 to divert to BNE

[blu]

A lightning strike during the decent into OOL caused QF862 737-800 to divert to BNE today, as engineering staff were not located at OOL to inspect for damage.
We were seated in 14DF exit row today, when 10 minutes from OOL the AC took a lightning strike (in the centre) exiting out the wings. Got a good flash through the cabin. MrsB was sitting at the window and saw sparks coming from the right engine (briefly & accompanying the loud bang). An inspection panel also appeared to be blown open as it opened & closed several times during the short flight to BNE.
Pax deplaned at BNE and boarded an older 737 for return to OOL. The incident was well handed by crew although it added about 90 minutes to the journey.

 

[wallacej]

I was having dinner nearby OOL last night, and it got quite wild there for about half an hour. Although strikes happen from time to time, it is quite a jolt to the system when it happens.

So they boarded evryone back on for the bne to ool flight? That would have to rate as almost one of the shortest flights on a 737 There is a thread for that too, look up shortest flight.

 

[93D]

Onboard VA957 from Sydney yesterday lightning also hit my aircraft on descent into Brisbane yesterday struck us twice within minutes of each other.

 

[Robert Qld]

I was suppose to be on the OOL-SYD flight it turned into if it had actually landed at OOL. New plane came 2ish hours later (all things considered that was a pretty short delay) and I still had time to get a quick shower in the SYD QP before my connecting SYD-MEL flight.

As it was a rather last minute booking, the only reasonably priced fare to be had, had a 3.5 hour layover in SYD. Actually ended up working quiet well for me as I just hung with a mate (and eating Easter eggs!) in the OOL QP until the new plane came.

 

[Austman]

I was on the delayed 13:05 QF863 (OOL-SYD) as well. It was delayed by about 1:40 and arrived to the SYD gate at about 17:08. My connecting 17:00 SYD-MEL flight got automatically re-booked to a 17:30 flight.

Qantas handled the delay quite nicely. Complimentary beer and wine was offered on the delayed OOL-SYD flight. Then for many MEL connecting passengers in SYD it was straight to the now boarding MEL flight. New BPs were all printed and ready to hand out at the gate. And on board the SYD-MEL flight more complimentary beer and wine was offered when it was announced that the flight was carrying many delayed OOL-SYD passengers.

The SYD-MEL flight left a few mins late (hopefully with connecting QF863 pax luggage) but landed in MEL about 10 mins early, so all up OOL-SYD-MEL, I was only 20mins delayed.

 

[Robert Qld]

I did notice the free booze on a non city flyer flight, but I didn't partake due to three hours sleep and a drive back from Tulla to St Kilda.