2 planes bound for Burbank are struck by lightning
Two Southwest Airlines Boeing 737s were struck by lightning during their flights Wednesday but landed safely at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank.
One flight attendant who complained of arm pain was taken to a hospital for examination, authorities said.
The airliners, which were flying to Burbank from Oakland and Sacramento, landed at 9:38 a.m. and 9:57 a.m., respectively, said Marilee McInnis, a spokeswoman for Southwest Airlines. Both planes were taken out of service to check for possible damage.
McInnis said the Sacramento flight carried 69 passengers; the Oakland flight had 81 passengers aboard. She did not know how far the aircraft were from the airport when they were struck by lightning.
The flight attendant was taken by paramedics to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, said Victor Gill, a spokesman for Bob Hope Airport.
Federal Aviation Administration regulations require that aircraft components and electrical systems be built to withstand lightning strikes.
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