In an unexpected turn of events, American Airlines Flight AA78 from Dallas-Fort Worth to London Heathrow was forced to divert to New York JFK Airport due to a lightning strike. The incident occurred during the late hours of Saturday, May 4 and early hours of Sunday, May 5, 2024.

The flight, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER with the registration N736AT, took off from Dallas-Fort Worth Airport at midnight. However, approximately two hours into the flight, the aircraft, cruising at an altitude of 33,000 feet, made a sudden U-turn back towards Dallas. Eventually, the plane changed its course again, this time heading towards either Nashville or Atlanta.

Ultimately, the Boeing 777 made its way to New York JFK Airport, where it circled at 10,000 feet to dump fuel in a precautionary measure. The diversion was necessary after the aircraft was struck by lightning during its journey.

After a delay of 5 hours and 30 minutes, the plane successfully landed at JFK Airport. Officials have deemed the lightning strike as the cause of concern, requiring the aircraft to undergo thorough inspections and necessary repairs before its scheduled resumption at 08:00 EDT.

Passengers aboard Flight AA78 expressed mixed emotions, ranging from concern to relief, as the unexpected diversion and lightning strike startled them. American Airlines issued a statement apologizing for the inconvenience caused and assuring the affected travelers that their safety remains the airline's top priority.

As the investigation into the lightning strike continues, the airline is working diligently to ensure that the Boeing 777 is ready to safely resume its journey to London Heathrow as soon as possible.