Lightning-struck COPA Airlines plane lands safely; outgoing passengers stranded

Lightning struck an airborne COPA Airlines plane shortly after it departed Panama Monday, but it continued its journey and landing at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) without incident, according to usually reliable sources.

However, an estimated 90 passengers who should have departed Guyana for the Central American country around 2:30 PM have been stranded for a few hours until another plane arrives.

The source said the passengers would likely be accommodated at a nearby international hotel at COPA's expense until they are ready to depart possibly around midnight Tuesday or early Wednesday.

Recounting the facts, as provided to that official, the source said the aircraft was damaged by lightning shortly after departed Panama but the pilot made an assessment and continued his journey to Guyana.

The plane landed safely and on time around 1:46 PM.

According to the source, on arrival the pilot examined the plane and a decision was taken to ground that aircraft and await the arrival of engineers and a replacement plane

Sighs, I don't see how people can travel by plane with no fear. I am terrify of planes. I have dreams of planes crashing right in front of me and it is how I died in one of my dreams. I think I said this in another post. I always thought if lightning strikes the plane, the aircraft would split in half. I know this is ludicrous because these machines are build to handle such occurrences from nature. Still, I don't want to think about the fear some passengers may have had once the lightning struck the plane. If I was a passenger in Guyana waiting for my flight, I would have left upon hearing that news.