A Delta flight was forced to turn around on a cross-Atlantic journey after “encountering lightning.” The flight, Delta 112, was on its way to Rome from Logan International Airport in Boston on Sunday evening when the crew reported that the plane had been struck by lightning shortly after departure, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The plane turned around over the Atlantic and headed back to Boston following the strike. The flight was intended to be an approximately seven-hour journey.
A Delta spokesperson told the New York Post that the plane was diverted back to Boston “out of an abundance of caution” following the strike. The plane landed in Boston around 7:20 p.m. local time and was met by fire trucks on the tarmac, according to WCVB.
Boston emergency medical staff confirmed that no passengers or crew were injured. “The flight landed safely and without further incident,” the Delta spokesperson said.
A passenger on the flight, Donna Pilat, told ABC News that she heard a “small pop” during the flight and described the plane having a rough landing on its return to Logan International Airport.
“We could smell burning rubber from the wheels,” she told the outlet. “They had to tow this plane to a hangar and that’s why we didn’t get our luggage for hours. Long night but it could have been worse.”
The Federal Aviation Administration noted that commercial jetliners are required by law to be built to withstand lightning strikes, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew during such incidents.
