American Airlines Airbus A321 Lightning Strike near St. Louis on May 4th, 2024

On May 4th, 2024, an American Airlines Airbus A321-200, registration N155UW, operating flight AA-2651 from Charlotte, North Carolina, to San Francisco, California, experienced a lightning strike while enroute at FL320 (32,000 feet), approximately 120 nautical miles east-southeast of St. Louis, Missouri. The crew, following standard safety protocols, decided to divert to St. Louis, where the aircraft landed safely on runway 11 about 30 minutes after the lightning strike. The aircraft carried 150 passengers and 6 crew members at the time of the incident.

Event Sequence:

• Enroute and Lightning Strike: The Airbus A321-200 was cruising at FL320 when it was struck by lightning, a common occurrence during flights through stormy or adverse weather conditions. Modern aircraft are designed to withstand lightning strikes, but such incidents require immediate assessment to ensure there is no damage to critical systems. The lightning strike caused damage to the avionics systems, which prompted the crew to initiate a diversion to St. Louis, Missouri.
• Crew Decision and Diversion to St. Louis: After the strike, the flight crew quickly assessed the situation and, based on standard operating procedures and system diagnostics, determined that a diversion was necessary. The avionics system, essential for navigation and communication, had sustained damage, making it prudent to land at the nearest suitable airport. The crew communicated with air traffic control and safely diverted the aircraft to St. Louis Lambert International Airport. The flight landed without further incident, approximately 30 minutes after the lightning strike occurred.

Post-Landing Actions:

• FAA Report: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a statement following the event, confirming: “AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A LIGHTNING STRIKE DAMAGING AVIONICS, ST LOUIS, MO.” While the aircraft’s structure was not compromised, the damage to the avionics system was significant enough to require grounding for inspection and repair.
• Replacement Aircraft and Delays: A replacement Airbus A321-200, registration N543UW, was dispatched to St. Louis to continue the flight to San Francisco. The replacement flight departed after a delay of approximately 9 hours, ensuring that all passengers were safely transported to their destination.

Technical Inspection and Return to Service:

Upon landing, the occurrence aircraft, N155UW, underwent a thorough inspection by American Airlines’ maintenance teams. Particular attention was given to the avionics system, which had sustained damage from the lightning strike. Avionics systems are critical for flight operations, and any damage could impair the aircraft’s ability to communicate, navigate, or manage systems effectively.

• Damage Assessment: Lightning strikes can cause a variety of issues, from superficial damage to critical electronic components. In this case, the damage to the avionics required repair before the aircraft could return to service. The inspection revealed no structural damage to the aircraft, allowing for relatively swift repairs to the electronic systems.
• Return to Service: The aircraft remained grounded for approximately 21 hours while the necessary repairs and system checks were completed. Once the avionics systems were fully restored and tested, the aircraft was cleared for return to service.

Conclusion:

The lightning strike incident involving American Airlines flight AA-2651 highlights the robustness of modern aircraft design, which is built to withstand such events. The crew acted swiftly and decisively, diverting the aircraft to St. Louis to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew. The damage to the avionics system, while significant, was repaired within 21 hours, allowing the aircraft to return to service without further complications.

The diversion and subsequent delay of approximately 9 hours for passengers underscores the importance of prioritising safety over operational schedules. Lightning strikes, though not uncommon, require immediate attention, and the crew’s adherence to safety protocols ensured a safe outcome. This incident serves as a reminder of the critical role that avionics systems play in the safe operation of modern aircraft and the importance of thorough post-incident inspections following such events.