Plane Struck by Lightning in Turkey Lands Safely Turkish Airlines say a plane with 114 people aboard made an emergency landing after it was struck by lightning and one of its engines caught fire. It said the plane, en route to Izmir from Istanbul, was preparing to land at Izmir when the lightning struck late Thursday. The pilot quickly activated the motor's own fire-extinguishing gear, declared an emergency and landed safely. The company said Friday no one was hurt. Amateur video taken from the ground and broadcast by private NTV television showed a flame shooting in the night sky. The state-run Anadolu agency said residents in Izmir who witnessed the flame rushed to the airport for news of the plane.