Delta Flight 1192, flying from New York City to Atlanta, encountered two separate emergencies during its journey. One emergency was due to a suspected lightning strike, while the other was due to a medical issue with a passenger. Despite the back-to-back emergencies, the plane landed safely and was inspected post-landing to ensure the safety of the passengers and crew.
Commercial planes are hit by lightning once or twice a year on average, according to the National Weather Service. Passenger planes are built to withstand lightning strikes, with special conducting paths through the aircraft designed to handle lightning currents. Although incidents of lightning strikes on commercial planes are not uncommon, they rarely result in any significant damage or injuries. The National Weather Service confirmed that lightning has not caused a commercial transport airplane crash in many years.
Despite the potential danger posed by lightning strikes, passenger planes are equipped with safety features that minimize the risk of injury or damage. The Delta flight in question was no exception – it landed safely in Atlanta with no reported injuries due to the suspected lightning strike. The incident serves as a reminder of how important it is for pilots and airline companies to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions when flying in potentially hazardous conditions.
