Passenger on diverted flight describes lightning strike to plane

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A stop at the Chattanooga Airport was not originally on Russell Baumgard’s flight plan from Milwaukee to Atlanta and then New Orleans Tuesday.

But that changed when Delta flight 2050 didn’t land, and was diverted to Chattanooga.

“The weather around Atlanta was terrible according to what they told us and we were circling to wait to land and then the engine got struck by lightning,” Baumgard said.

He said that when it happened he saw a flash.

“I kind of like felt the engine go out and idle a little bit, but obviously there’s two of them and it’s 2019 and planes don’t crash that much so I wasn’t that worried,” Baumgard said.

The Chattanooga Airport released the following statement about the diverted flight:

“A Delta Air Lines flight in route from Milwaukee to Atlanta incurred a lightning strike and was diverted to the Chattanooga Airport. The plane, an MD 90,  carrying 164 passengers landed safely with no injuries just after 4:00 p.m. this afternoon. The aircraft will be closely inspected to determine the next steps in getting the passengers to their final destination.”

The FAA said in a tweet that the plane landed “after the pilot reported a possible lightning strike and declared an emergency.”

“The FAA will investigate,” the agency said.

Lightning strikes aren’t unusual, the FAA estimates a plane gets struck once a year.

“I thought it was pretty cool at first then I was like oh my god, my mom was freaking out I was leaving on this trip and now the plane gets struck by lightning she’s going to be even more freaked out,” Baumgard said.

Delta Air Lines also released a statement:

“Delta apologizes to the customers of flight 2050 for the delay incurred after the flight diverted to Chattanooga due a mechanical issue. The safety of Delta’s customers and crew is always our top priority. The aircraft is undergoing maintenance evaluation while the airline is working to get customers to their destination as quickly as possible.”

They were working to get people to Atlanta via bus.

As for Baumgard, he said he didn’t care if he had to get on a bus, he just wanted to make his connecting flight in Atlanta to get him to Mardi Gras in the Big Easy.