Introduction
On 18 March 2025, a Japan Air Commuter (JAC) ATR-42-600, registration JA01JC, operating flight MZ-201 from Amakusa to Kumamoto, Japan, suffered a lightning strike shortly after departure, prompting the crew to abort the climb and return to Amakusa. The aircraft landed safely approximately 25 minutes after takeoff, and burn marks were later discovered on the nose wheel area and tail section.
As a precautionary measure, all scheduled flights for the aircraft have been cancelled until at least 26 March 2025 while inspections and repairs are carried out.
Flight & Incident Overview
• Aircraft: ATR-42-600
• Operator: Japan Air Commuter (JAC)
• Registration: JA01JC
• Flight Number: MZ-201
• Route: Amakusa (AXJ) → Kumamoto (KMJ)
• Date: 18 March 2025
• Occupants: 14 (passengers and crew combined)
• Incident Location: Shortly after departure from Amakusa, Japan
• Altitude at Incident: 4,000 feet
• Final Outcome: Safe return to Amakusa, aircraft damage noted
Sequence of Events
1. Departure from Amakusa
• The ATR-42-600 departed from Amakusa Airport’s runway 31, beginning its short 135-kilometre flight to Kumamoto.
• Weather conditions in the area included thunderstorm activity, increasing the risk of lightning strikes.
2. Lightning Strike & Immediate Crew Actions
• Shortly after takeoff, while climbing through 4,000 feet, the aircraft was struck by lightning.
• The crew reported the strike and immediately decided to halt the climb to assess the situation.
• As a precautionary measure, they opted to return to Amakusa.
3. Safe Landing & Aircraft Inspection
• The aircraft landed safely back at Amakusa Airport approximately 25 minutes after departure.
• Engineers conducted a thorough inspection, identifying burn marks in two areas—near the nose wheel and on the tail section.
• JAC cancelled all future flights of this aircraft until at least 26 March 2025 to facilitate repairs and further evaluations.
Investigation & Technical Considerations
1. Lightning Strikes on Aircraft: How Dangerous Are They?
• Modern aircraft are designed to withstand lightning strikes, with composite structures incorporating conductive materials that safely dissipate electrical energy.
• The ATR-42-600 is equipped with multiple lightning protection measures, including:
• Static dischargers on wing and tail surfaces
• Metallic mesh within composite panels
• Shielded avionics and electrical systems
• While most lightning strikes do not cause severe damage, they can lead to minor structural burns, temporary avionics issues, or surface erosion.
2. Possible Damage from the Strike
• Burn marks near the nose wheel area suggest the entry point of the lightning strike, which is a common area for first contact.
• The presence of burn marks on the tail indicates that the lightning exited through the aircraft’s extremities, following the natural path of least resistance.
• Engineers will conduct detailed structural and avionics inspections to ensure there is no hidden damage.
Aftermath & Operational Impact
• Aircraft Grounding:
• JAC has cancelled all flights using this ATR-42-600 until at least 26 March 2025.
• Engineers will perform detailed checks of electrical, avionics, and composite structures before clearing the aircraft for service.
• Passenger & Crew Safety:
• No injuries were reported, and all 14 occupants disembarked safely after landing.
• Passengers were rebooked on alternative flights where possible.
Conclusion
A Japan Air Commuter ATR-42-600 (JA01JC) suffered a lightning strike shortly after departure from Amakusa on 18 March 2025, forcing the crew to return for a precautionary landing. The aircraft landed safely, and subsequent inspections revealed burn marks near the nose wheel and tail.
As a safety measure, JAC has cancelled all scheduled flights for this aircraft until 26 March 2025 while further inspections and repairs are completed. Lightning strikes rarely pose a serious threat to modern aircraft, but detailed maintenance checks are standard protocol after such occurrences.
Disclaimer
“This report is based on publicly available information as of 19 March 2025. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness of the information provided. If you are the rightful owner of any referenced materials and wish them removed, please email takedown@cockpitking.com.”
