An Alaska Airlines jet that was reportedly struck by lightning after taking off from Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday returned to the airfield shortly after takeoff, officials said.
Soon after Alaska Airlines Flight 006 took off at 1:08 p.m. en route to Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., the pilot determined that the plane may have experienced a shock, Alaska Airlines spokeswoman Bobbie Egan said.
The Boeing 737 landed safely and taxied to the gate, airport spokesman Marshall Lowe said.
“The pilot noticed that it was likely struck by lightning, and out of an abundance of caution [decided] to turn around and land,” Egan said.