TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Southwest Airlines flight set to depart from Tampa International Airport on Monday was delayed, and its passengers deplaned.
According to a Southwest Airlines representative, Flight 1476, headed to Fort Lauderdale, sustained a possible lightning strike before takeoff.
The airline released the following statement regarding the incident:
“Southwest Airlines Flight 1476 sustained a possible lightning strike while parked at the gate in Tampa. No injuries were reported, and we are following our Safety procedures by taking the aircraft out of service for inspection. Our Customers are being reaccommodated to Fort Lauderdale on another aircraft. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees.”
We reached out to TPA for comment, and their operations team confirmed reports of smoke onboard, which led to what they called a “safe deplaning.”
According to TPA, the aircraft was checked out by ARFF and grounded for further inspection.
No further details are available at this time.
