Long night for families in flight scare after lightning strikes Hobart-bound Jetstar plane

LOCAL Jetstar passengers have spoken of their flight fright after a plane heading to Hobart from Melbourne was struck by lightning. WATCH THE VIDEO

A Jetstar flight from Melbourne to Hobart returned to the Victorian capital as a precaution after a lightning strike. Picture: BRENDAN RADKE

LOCAL Jetstar passengers have spoken of their flight fright after a plane heading to Hobart from Melbourne was struck by lightning.

The airline confirmed that Jetstar flight JQ713 from Melbourne to Hobart was turned back to Melbourne Airport about 9.30pm on Tuesday, 25 minutes into the flight.

“One of our flights to Hobart returned to Melbourne Airport as a precaution following a lightning strike,” a Jetstar spokeswoman said.

“Our engineers have conducted an inspection on the aircraft and it has been cleared to return to service.

“We arranged an alternative aircraft for our customers to continue their journey from Melbourne to Hobart last night.”

Passengers arrived in Hobart around four hours behind schedule in the early hours of the morning.

Kempton resident Hannah Gray and her two children Angus, 6, and Mabel, 3, were on-board the flight after a family holiday in Queensland.

Mrs Gray said she was looking out the window when the lighting struck.

“It lit up the sky around us,” she said.

“We were told very little about what happened, only that the plane was safe and we were heading back to Melbourne as a precaution.

Hannah Gray with her children Angus and Mabel. the family was on board the Jetstar flight that turned back to Melbourne amid lightning strikes.

“It was a long night – the flight had already been delayed leaving Melbourne.

“There were lots of families with children and I was really grateful to some of the other passengers who helped get my bags on and off the plane, so I could juggle my two tired kids.”

Another passenger, Ashley Humphrey from Kingston, said it was a frustrating situation, but ultimately it was better to be safe than sorry.

“I think the captain made the right decision and we all made it home safe and sound so that’s all that really matters in the end,” he said.

The storm came as a deep low-pressure system passed to the south of Tasmania with an associated warm front coinciding with the onset of damaging winds.

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