Passenger Describes ‘Deafening Bang’ and Fireball as Air New Zealand Flight Struck by Lightning

A passenger says his ears are still ringing after a dramatic mid-air incident this morning, when the Air New Zealand plane he was on was struck by lightning — producing a “deafening bang” and a bright fireball that flashed off a wing. Reported by NewstalkZB

Air New Zealand confirmed that flight NZ676, traveling from Auckland to Dunedin, was struck by lightning amid stormy conditions over the upper North Island. Meteorologists reported hundreds of lightning strikes in the area earlier in the morning. The flight was later diverted to Christchurch as a precaution.

Tradie Quincy Sio, 35, was flying for work with a colleague, a trip they had made many times before. He said turbulence began almost immediately after takeoff at 6:55 a.m., making the flight feel “treacherous.”

“The plane was shaking violently — we were bouncing up and down. Everyone was scared,” Sio told Newstalk ZB. “Then suddenly there was this deafening bang. Everyone was off their seat, yelling and screaming. It was crazy.”

Sio recalled seeing a large orange “fireball” burst from the aircraft’s left wing as the sound echoed through the cabin. He said his ears were ringing for hours afterward and he suffered a headache from the noise.

Air New Zealand’s chief operations officer, Alex Marren, confirmed the strike, saying the aircraft was undergoing standard engineering checks.

“As a result, the return service NZ676 Dunedin–Auckland was cancelled,” Marren said. “We’re reaccommodating customers on alternate flights and have added an extra Christchurch–Dunedin service to help passengers reach their destinations.”

Marren noted that lightning strikes are not uncommon, and pilots are fully trained to handle such events safely.

Sio said he was surprised the crew didn’t immediately announce what had happened or turn the plane around. “I assumed the plane must’ve taken some damage,” he said. “I’m not feeling too keen about the flight home, to be honest.”

According to MetService, there were 482 lightning strikes recorded between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m., as a strong frontal system swept across the country. Auckland and Northland were placed under a moderate thunderstorm risk at the time the flight took off.