Passenger records blinding flash in cabin as lightning strikes plane over Chile

Lightning struck a LATAM Airlines flight shortly before it landed in Santiago. A passenger recorded the moment the flash lit up the cabin, as the aircraft landed normally after.Passenger records blinding flash in cabin as lightning strikes plane over Chile (Photos: @Hechosanderecho/X)A passenger aboard a LATAM Airlines flight from Antofagasta to Santiago in Chile recorded the moment lightning struck the aircraft just minutes before landing, startling those on board with a loud bang and a flash that lit up the cabin.Despite the frightening moment, the plane landed safely, and no injuries were reported, according to local reports.The video of the lightning strike later circulated on social media, capturing the moment the electrical discharge hit the aircraft.Watch the video here: UN RAYO IMPACT A UN AVIN DE LATAM EN PLENO VUELO: NO HUBO HERIDOS Un impactante video registró el momento en que un rayo alcanzó a un avión de LATAM Airlines que viajaba desde Antofagasta hacia Santiago de Chile este martes, en medio de una fuerte tormenta elctrica. La descarga provocó un estruendo y un destello que iluminó el interior de la aeronave, lo que generó temor entre los pasajeros. El episodio ocurrió minutos antes del aterrizaje en la capital chilena y rpidamente se viralizó en las redes sociales. Pese al susto, no hubo personas lesionadas y el avión aterrizó con normalidad en el Aeropuerto Arturo Merino Bentez. Desde LATAM explicaron que se trata de un fenómeno meteorológico para el que las aeronaves estn diseadas y certificadas. Adems, cuentan con sistemas que permiten disipar las descargas elctricas de manera segura. El momento quedó registrado por uno de los pasajeros.— Hechos y Derecho (@Hechosanderecho) October 21, 2026 According to local reports, the lightning struck just minutes before the plane landed at Santiago’s Arturo Merino Bentez Airport. The sudden flash and loud noise startled passengers, with some heard screaming as the incident unfolded.The incident occurred as a major weather system brought heavy rain and thunderstorms to Chile’s Metropolitan Region. Following the incident, LATAM Airlines Group issued a statement explaining why the lightning strike did not compromise passenger safety. The airline said such weather events were anticipated in aircraft design and certification.“This is a meteorological phenomenon for which the aircraft are designed and certified,” the company said, adding that its planes were equipped with systems that allowed electrical discharges to dissipate safely.The airline also confirmed that the aircraft landed normally and that all passengers disembarked safely at Santiago airport.Reiterating its commitment to safety, LATAM said the well-being of passengers and crew remained a non-negotiable priority across its operations.- Ends