San Diego-Bound Plane Lands Safely After Being Hit by Lightning
SAN DIEGO — Lightning struck a United Airlines flight en route from Chicago to San Diego on Sunday, but the plane landed safely and no injuries were reported, said a spokesman for the airline.
Flight 477, carrying 113 passengers, landed in San Diego about 2:30 p.m. It was not clear where the plane was when lightning struck.
“The plane made a normal landing, and everyone is fine,” United spokesman Joe Hopkins said.
The electrical discharge struck the Boeing 727 aircraft in the radome, or nose area, which will require repairs, Hopkins said. The radome houses and protects the radar antenna on most planes.
Hopkins would not discuss the extent of the damage or say whether the plane had mechanical or navigational difficulties while in flight.
“Planes do get struck by lightening, and they’re meant to withstand it,” he said.
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