By Canadian Press

B.C. helicopter lands safely after being hit by lightning, Helijet says

Oct 24, 2023 | 5:23 PM

VICTORIA — A commercial helicopter with 14 people on board landed safely in Victoria Tuesday after it was hit by lightning.

Rick Hill, the vice-president of Helijet, says aircraft was at approximately 1,200 metres when it was hit by lightning, the two pilots on board took the chopper down to below the clouds and then landed without trouble in Victoria. 

Hill says such an event is very, very rare, and in his 36 years of experienced it’s only happened twice. 

He says there were no injuries, although he’s sure that such an incident would certainly shake up those on board. 

Hill says there was some damage to the aircraft, including the tail rotor. 

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Environment Canada issued a special weather statement Tuesday covering Greater Victoria and other parts of Vancouver Island, saying between 30 and 50 millimetres of rain was expected. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2023

The Canadian Press