Watch lightning strike two jets approaching Seattle

What happens when a plane gets struck by lightning? Well, take a look with your own eyes.

A University of Washington student captured two separate airplanes being struck by lightning while approaching Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Seattle can be subject to some very low ceilings and powerful cross-winds, and while lightning storms are infrequent, the nearby mountainous terrain makes for some epic weather.

Passengers on the planes — both Alaska Airlines jets  — told local news station KOMO 4 that the experience was jolting but didn't affect the landing. Passenger Kim Dodge explained where the lightning struck:

We were flying in and out of clouds, sunshine then darkness, sunshine then darkness. I was looking out the window when I saw this bright flash and this streak of lightning hit the top-middle of the right wing near the engine.

Sometimes these lightning strikes can be quite severe, such as in this video from a Turkish Airlines flight that has its engine taken out by a powerful direct hit. Still, everyone on board landed safely.

Generally speaking, this shouldn't worry fliers, as direct hits on engines are unusual and planes are built to disperse lightning when it does strike — which is a good think,  considering the average plane is struck by lightning once a year. Watch this video to calm your monkey flier brain: