Jan 10th 2026 : A Delta Air Lines Boeing 717-200 sustained minor damage after being struck by lightning while en route to Atlanta, but the flight concluded safely without further incident.
The aircraft, registered N919AT, was operating flight DL-2216 from Wichita, Kansas, to Atlanta, Georgia. While cruising at flight level FL290, the aircraft was hit by lightning. The flight crew assessed the situation and, as no abnormal aircraft behaviour or system failures were reported, elected to continue to destination.
The Boeing 717 landed safely at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport on runway 26R. Following the landing, the aircraft underwent an inspection.
According to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the lightning strike damaged the left-side door, although the agency confirmed that the damage was minor.
After the necessary checks and minor maintenance actions were completed, the aircraft returned to service approximately 13 hours after landing.
Lightning strikes are relatively common events in commercial aviation, and modern aircraft are designed to safely dissipate electrical energy. In this occurrence, standard procedures and aircraft protections ensured a safe outcome for passengers and crew.
