Thursday, January 31, JetBlue Airways plane bound for new York, was forced to change course and make an emergency landing. Immediately after departure from the international airport Los Angeles (LAX), during a lightning storm that hit Southland, the plane was hit by lightning.
The state aviation administration confirmed that a JetBlue flight No. 324, departed John F. Kennedy International Airport, turned around and landed back at LAX after its crew reported that the aircraft was struck by lightning.
According to FlightAware, the plane which was carrying 153 people, and about 16 thousand litres pounds of fuel, took off at 10:10 and was airborne for only about 55 minutes. LAX officers claim that he landed safely just after 11:00. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
The air traffic controller says the pilot reported landing in the first place because of its superiority. He didn’t do the aircraft any damage. The pilot jokingly added that he hopes that lightning doesn’t strike twice.
In his statement about the emergency landing JetBlue confirmed the incident. The crew checks the aircraft and determines whether it can continue the flight to new York or clients will be directed to another flight. At 14:00 JetBlue plane was still parked at LAX.
Meanwhile, Thursday morning, another passenger plane from LAX was struck by lightning. A Southwest Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Portland was forced to make an emergency landing in Auckland. During landing no one was hurt.
Several passengers aboard JetBlue tweeted the news about the aborted flight.
«No kidding, our plane from LAX to JFK was struck by lightning, wrote Victoria rixon. — Turn around and return to Los Angeles for an emergency landing».
No joke, our plane from LAX to JFK got hit by lightening. Turning around and heading back to LA for emergency landing.
Victoria Rickson (@victoriarickson) January 31, 2019
«Our plane was struck by lightning, all freaked out, and I fell asleep,» wrote Lynn Asheton.
LOL…Our plane got struck by lightning, everyone was freaking out and I slept through the whole thing 😆
— Leanna Asheton (@LeannaAsheton) January 31, 2019
Jake McGraw wrote: «… our plane was struck by lightning during takeoff, and we returned to LAX. At least the WiFi still works.»
This is turning into a cursed @JetBlue flight. First I was downgraded from Mint to stowage. Then our plane was struck by lightning during takeoff and we’re heading back to LAX. At least the WiFi still works 🤷♂app
— Jake McGraw (@jakemcgraw) January 31, 2019
