A Delta plane flying over the Atlantic Ocean was struck by lightning on Sunday, forcing the plane to quickly return to Boston, according to Delta and the FAA.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, Delta Flight 112 was en route to Rome from Logan International Airport on Sunday evening when the crew reported a lightning strike after takeoff.
The plane had already passed over the Atlantic Ocean during its roughly seven-hour flight to the Italian city before turning back, Flightradar24 reported.
A Delta spokesman said in an email that the plane had encountered lightning and returned to Logan Airport “out of an abundance of caution.”
Fire engines could be seen around the plane on the runway when the Airbus A330 landed at about 7:20 p.m. WCVB reported.
Boston EMS said no passengers or crew members required medical assistance, the agency reported.
A Delta spokesman said the flight “landed safely and there were no subsequent incidents.”
“We are committed to getting customers to their final destination as quickly as possible and apologize for any travel delays. The safety of our customers and employees is Delta’s number one priority.”
The FAA said it was investigating the accident but stressed that the federal agency’s “regulations require that commercial aircraft be designed to withstand lightning strikes.”
