A Delta Air Lines flight headed to Rome, Italy, from Boston, Massachusetts, on Sunday, was struck by lightning while in the air, according to the airline and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The flight was diverted back to Boston Logan International Airport “out of an abundance of caution” after the crew reported a lighting strike after departure, according to a statements from Delta and the FAA.
The plane landed back in Boston at 7:20 p.m. ET “safely and without further incident,” the airline said.
The commercial passenger aircraft was an Airbus A330, according to the FAA.
Delta apologized to travelers for the delay and said they are “working to get our customers to their final destination as quickly as possible.”
The FAA said it would investigate and noted that regulations require that commercial aircraft be designed to withstand lightning strikes.
A recent incident involving a Delta Airlines flight has raised concerns about the safety of air travel during thunderstorms. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that an international Delta flight was forced to divert back to Boston after being struck by lightning.
The flight, which was en route to Europe, experienced severe turbulence and a loud bang shortly after takeoff. Passengers reported seeing a bright flash of light outside the window, followed by a sudden jolt. The pilots quickly assessed the situation and made the decision to turn the aircraft around and return to Boston for an emergency landing.
According to the FAA, lightning strikes on aircraft are not uncommon, with an estimated 1 in every 1,000 flights being struck. While modern aircraft are designed to withstand lightning strikes, they can still cause damage to critical systems such as navigation equipment and communication systems.
In this particular incident, the Delta flight was able to land safely back in Boston without any injuries reported among the passengers or crew. However, the aircraft will undergo a thorough inspection to assess any potential damage caused by the lightning strike.
Passengers on the flight praised the quick thinking and professionalism of the pilots and crew in handling the emergency situation. Many expressed gratitude for the safe return to the ground and praised Delta Airlines for their handling of the incident.
The FAA will conduct a full investigation into the lightning strike incident to determine the cause and any potential safety implications for future flights. In the meantime, travelers are reminded that lightning strikes are a rare but possible occurrence during air travel, and that pilots are trained to handle such situations with precision and care.
Overall, while incidents like this can be alarming, it is important to remember that air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation. The swift actions of the Delta crew in responding to the lightning strike serve as a reminder of the dedication and training of airline personnel in ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers.
