UPDATE:
FARGO, N.D. (KFGO) – A spokesperson for Allegiant Air says after inspection it was determined a jet headed from Fargo to Los Angeles was not hit by lightning during Saturday’s severe weather.
Hilarie Grey told KFGO News there was lightning around the airport and there was a suspected lightning strike as the Airbus taxied back to the terminal as the storm hit.
Grey says there was a “smell” in the aircraft but after approximately 3 hours of investigation, maintenance workers could find no evidence of a lightning strike and the flight departed for its destination.
The National Weather Service reported a peak gust of 81 mph at the airport during the storm.
ORIGINAL STORY:
FARGO, N.D. (KFGO) – A jet airliner appeared to have been struck by lightning as it prepared for take-off from Hector International Airport in Fargo Saturday.
Airport Authority Executive Director Shawn Dobberstein told KFGO News, the Allegiant Air was taxing down the runway about 12:30 p.m. preparing to take off as a severe thunderstorm approached so the pilot opted to taxi back to the airport terminal. That’s when lightning hit the plane’s tail section. Flight 341 was en route to Los Angeles.
No injuries were reported and the Airbus 320 returned safely to the terminal. The airliner was sitting on the airport ramp throughout the afternoon. Dobberstein says while it’s unclear what type of damage the plane may have sustained, mechanics were examining the aircraft for several hours on Saturday afternoon. He said an airline official told him if repairs cannot be made, Allegiant would send another plane to Fargo to pick up the stranded passengers.
One passenger on the plane posted her dilemma in a comment on KFGO’s Facebook Page..”we’re stuck on the tarmac. Send pizza!”
It’s unknown how many passengers were onboard. However, Dobberstein said Allegiant flights out of Fargo are usually full and this type of aircraft can carry 180-plus people.
Dobberstein said lightning strikes have occurred at the airport before but are rare.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Greg Gust said a wind gust of 81 mph was reported at Hector International Airport just after 1 p.m. The storm packed a wallop, causing widespread damage to trees and power lines, causing widespread outages throughout the FM metro.
