Pegasus Airlines Flight PC398 from Istanbul to St. Petersburg Diverts After Two Lightning Strikes – What You Need to Know

Published on December 2, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

On Sunday, November 30, 2025, Pegasus Airlines Flight PC398, bound for St. Petersburg, was forced to return to Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) shortly after takeoff due to two lightning strikes. The flight, which had initially departed at 21:45 local time, had to divert back to Istanbul after the aircraft was struck by lightning during the climb-out phase. This incident is a reminder of the critical safety measures taken during extreme weather conditions.

What Happened?

The flight, an Airbus A321-251NX (Registration TC-RBA), took off from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport at approximately 21:45 (9:45 PM) local time, just slightly behind its scheduled departure of 21:35. The aircraft, which was bound for St. Petersburg (LED), encountered two lightning strikes shortly after departure. Lightning strikes during takeoff or climb-out can trigger immediate safety protocols, as they may cause electrical issues or affect critical systems.

In this case, the aircraft’s crew followed standard safety protocols and, upon confirming the severity of the situation, decided to return to Istanbul. The Airbus A321, which is equipped with advanced avionics and uses the “Faraday Cage” principle to withstand lightning strikes, can still face operational challenges if the strikes are severe or if any fault is detected in the aircraft’s systems.

Where Did the Flight Divert?

Following the lightning strikes, the aircraft entered a holding pattern, a standard procedure for aircraft carrying full fuel loads, particularly on long-haul flights. This procedure allows the aircraft to burn off excess fuel to reduce its weight to a safe level before attempting to land. In this case, the aircraft circled over the Sea of Marmara or the Black Sea for approximately two hours to reduce its weight to meet the maximum landing weight for a safe return.

After completing the holding pattern, the aircraft safely landed back at Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) at approximately 01:06 AM local time on December 1, 2025, just over three hours after the flight had initially departed.

When Did the Incident Occur?

The incident took place shortly after the aircraft’s departure, with the lightning strikes occurring during the climb-out phase. These strikes prompted the crew to act immediately, and the aircraft returned to Istanbul after holding for fuel burn-off. The aircraft landed safely back at the airport in the early hours of December 1, 2025.

Why Did the Aircraft Return to Istanbul?

Lightning strikes can cause serious operational issues for aircraft, potentially affecting navigation systems, communication equipment, and other vital components. While the Airbus A321 is designed to handle lightning strikes using its Faraday Cage technology, it is standard procedure to return to the nearest airport for a physical inspection if any issues are suspected. In this case, the decision to return to Istanbul was made to ensure the aircraft’s systems were functioning properly and to guarantee the safety of everyone on board.

Additionally, the aircraft was carrying a full fuel load for the long flight to St. Petersburg. To ensure a safe landing, the crew entered a holding pattern to burn off excess fuel, reducing the aircraft’s weight and ensuring it could land within the safe maximum landing weight parameters.

How Were Passengers Affected?

No injuries were reported during the incident, and passengers were safely evacuated upon landing at Sabiha Gökçen Airport. After the aircraft landed and underwent a routine inspection, passengers were transferred to a replacement aircraft. Although the diversion caused a significant delay, passengers were eventually rebooked on a new flight to continue their journey to St. Petersburg. As a result, they arrived in St. Petersburg several hours later than originally scheduled.

Additional Context: Aircraft and Weather Conditions

The aircraft involved, registration TC-RBA, is an Airbus A321-251NX, a modern narrow-body jet equipped with the latest avionics and technology to handle extreme weather conditions like lightning strikes. The aircraft features advanced systems that help mitigate the effects of lightning, such as the Faraday Cage principle, which ensures the electrical current from lightning is safely redirected around the cabin and sensitive components.

This particular incident follows a pattern of volatile weather conditions in Istanbul and the surrounding Aegean region during late 2025. Several other weather-related disruptions, including lightning strikes, have been reported in the area, affecting both air traffic and ground operations.

What Does This Mean for Travelers?

For passengers, this incident underscores the importance of safety procedures when traveling during adverse weather conditions. Airlines like Pegasus Airlines follow stringent protocols to ensure that safety is always the top priority. While such diversions can lead to delays and inconveniences, they are crucial for ensuring that passengers remain safe during extreme weather events.

Travelers are advised to be prepared for possible disruptions when traveling in regions prone to lightning or other severe weather conditions, as these can lead to diversions or delays. Pegasus Airlines and other carriers ensure that all necessary steps are taken to prioritize passenger safety, even if it means returning to the airport or experiencing delays.

This incident involving Pegasus Airlines serves as a reminder of the challenges that airlines face when dealing with unpredictable weather and the safety measures that are in place to protect passengers. Despite the diversion and delay, the incident was handled efficiently, ensuring the well-being of all aboard and allowing passengers to continue their journey with minimal disruption.