Jackson Heights & Elmhurst

Plane Struck by Lightning But Lands Safely at LaGuardia

May 8, 2013 5:32pm | Updated May 8, 2013 5:32pm
An American Airlines plane at LaGuardia Airport.
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Getty Images/Bruce Bennett

NEW YORK — An American Eagle flight from Detroit landed safely at LaGuardia Airport after being struck by lightning Wednesday morning, a spokesman for the airline said.

Flight 4563 was struck twice by lightning on approach to the New York area, American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller said.

Miller says the captain declared an emergency as a precaution. The Embraer 135 regional jet with 20 passengers and three crewmembers landed safely at 10:41 a.m.

A maintenance team is inspecting the aircraft, the spokesman said.

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