Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 cleared after lightning strike | March 22, 2025

June 20, 2021 will forever be remembered by passengers and cabin crew on a flight from New York to Lomé, Togo. Just before landing, this Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 was struck by lightning. An incident that could have turned into a disaster, but which turned into a unique and unforgettable experience. This plane, now purified thanks to an exorcism ceremony led by voodoo priests, raises as many questions about aviation safety as it does about Togo’s cultural traditions. Let’s dive into the details of this strange but captivating story.

An Unexpected Storm
The passengers, already tense at the thought of landing, felt a shiver of anxiety when the plane was struck by lightning. Visible from the windows, the flash lit up the horizon while creating a deafening noise. The classic reaction would be for the pilots to quickly assess the situation, but here, everything was tinged with a slightly more mystical atmosphere. How could an incident of this seriousness simply be considered a technical problem?

The flight, which had 249 passengers, was immediately grounded at Gnassingbé Eyadema airport, leaving as many questions as worries in the minds of those on board. Engineers carried out technical assessments, but it was not enough to repair electronic components. Spiritual treatment was also required, according to local tradition.

Read
Alain and Nathalie Delon: A Dazzling Journey Through Their History in Images

Spiritual Cleansing
The day after the incident, a surprising ceremony took place. Voodoo priests were called in to perform an exorcism on the Boeing 787, an act deemed essential to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its future passengers. Indeed, for many in the region, spiritual protection is just as vital as mechanical protection. Such a ceremony may evoke comparisons to hunting rituals, where energy and these beliefs are considered essential to ward off bad luck.

The priests used drums, chants and offerings to purify the plane, breaking with a tradition that links the spiritual to the everyday. As one of the priests present at the ceremony recounted, “the plane must be purified so that all those who board it are protected from future dangers.”

Back to Operational
After the exorcism, the Boeing 787 was operational again and ready to join the fleet. The 249 passengers were finally able to return home, but not without an experience that will be the stuff of travelogues. It will remind them that some events go beyond the experienced and the tangible.
Continued on next page