International Delta flight struck by lightning diverted back to Boston: FAA

(BOSTON) — 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.

Passenger Donna Pilat, from Nashua, New Hampshire, told ABC News she heard “a small pop” while on the flight.

“It was a very rough landing back in Boston with fire trucks waiting,” she said. “We could smell burning rubber from the wheels. They had to tow the plane to a hanger and that’s why we didn’t get our luggage for hours. Long night but could have been worse.”

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.

Pilat, the passenger, said the delay led to her losing out on a tour of the Vatican. She said she hoped to make a Mediterranean cruise that begins on Wednesday.

“I sure hope lightning doesn’t strike twice!” she said.

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