Air Macau flight returns mid-route after suspected lightning strike

An Air Macau flight bound for Tokyo’s Narita Airport was forced to return to Macau yesterday morning after experiencing an in-flight incident.

While Air Macau has attributed the emergency return to a lightning strike, the city’s airport operator has suggested a possible engine issue, leading to confusion over the exact nature of the event.

Flight NX862, operated by an Airbus A320neo, took off at 9:40 a.m. with 124 passengers on board. According to flight-tracking data, the aircraft had already approached Taiwan’s Taichung area – roughly an hour into its journey – when it turned back and landed safely in Macau.

Initial reports emerged on social media, where aviation enthusiasts pointed to an engine malfunction and shared flight path visuals showing the plane’s return route.

The aircraft in question is believed to be equipped with Pratt & Whitney engines, a model currently under global inspection due to potential manufacturing flaws that could cause cracking in engine components.

Air Macau, however, downplayed concerns over engine failure. In a statement to TDM, the carrier said the aircraft was struck by lightning mid-flight, leading to a precautionary return for standard safety inspection.

The Macau International Airport Company (CAM), responding separately to the media outlet, indicated that the aircraft encountered engine trouble. Lv