There were several tense moments in the skies above western Alberta Thursday afternoon as a Canadian Forces CF-18 made a flawless emergency landing in Whitecourt after it was reportedly struck by lightning.

The pilot of the jet, confirmed by the Royal Canadian Air Force to be Capt. Adam Runge based at CFB Cold Lake, landed in Whitecourt at 11:30 am on Thursday morning after his fighter jet was struck by lightning.

The airport, home to a Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (AESRD) wildfire water tanker base and several civilian operators, was closed during the incident.

Eyewitness Mark Henderson told the Sun that the jet made several low circuits around the airport waiting for emergency crew to arrive. When fire crews were staged he made a quick landing with its canopy open.

The military jet, painted in airshow demonstration colours, taxied to the tanker base's apron east of the airport terminal for inspection by fire crews.

While emergency services were dispatched to respond to an aircraft in distress, Air Force spokesperson Captain Alexandre Cadieux said that the pilot did not officially declare an emergency before landing.

"He did advise the air traffic control that the incident took place, but he did not have to go through an emergency landing procedure," he said. "He just resumed his flight as scheduled and landed without incident."

Whitecourt fire chief Brian Wynn said that the jet was enroute to Whitecourt to perform in the air show when the incident occurred. He said the pilot was cruising south of Whitecourt at 17,000 feet when the plane was struck by lightning.

Wynn said that as per standard procedure for an aircraft in distress, the pilot circled until his crews were on scene.

He said that there wasn't any obvious damage to the plane when he got on scene.

Several reports stated that the pilot was shaken up by the incident, but was unhurt. EMS was dispatched but was stood down before their arrival.

The area is currently under a rainfall warning, with Environment Canada forecasting thunderstorms to enter the area this afternoon.

The CF-18 is scheduled to appear in this weekend's Whitecourt Air Show, along with the snowbirds and several civilian performers.

bryan.passifiume@sunmedia.ca

@WCSTAR_bryan

With files from Jordan Small