LINTHICUM, Md. -- A United Airlines official said a plane leaving BWI for Denver was hit by lightning as storms swept across the Washington area.
United Airlines spokesman Rahsaan Johnson said Flight 593 was struck after leaving Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport about 7 p.m. Tuesday with 143 passengers.
Johnson said the 757's captain thought the front of the plane was hit and headed for Dulles International Airport as a precaution.
Airliners are designed to withstand the strikes and they are said to occur an average of once a year to each airliner.
Copyright The Associated Press
