This is the terrifying moment a plane is hit by lightning as it takes off from an airport.

The KLM passenger jet was filmed soaring into the air on a cloudy day at Amsterdam Airport.

Plane spotters filmed the aircraft driving onto the runway and preparing to start its journey without any problems.

The airplane fired up its engines and accelerated into the sky during the routine take-off, reports the Mirror.

But, as the plane started to travel into the thick clouds above there was a sudden bright flash of light.

The huge electricity bolt appeared to hit the nose of the aircraft before passing through the body of the jet and coming out of the wing.

Footage of scary moment was shared by plane-spotting website Valk Aviation .

According to the website the clip was taken at the Schipol Airport and showed flight KL743 to Lima, Peru.

While the prospect of plane being hit by lightning may be terrifying for nervous fliers, aircraft are actually designed to withstand strikes.

And it happens far more often than you might think.

It is estimated that on average, every airplane in the US commercial fleet is hit by lightning about once every year.

The aircrafts are built in a way that lets electricity pass safely through the outer layers are are engineered to prevent electrical build-up and protect against power surges.