Quantcast

Southwest Airlines reports safe landing after Boeing 737 MAX struck by lightning

Airport Workers Save the Day After Woman Loses Diamond from Her Engagement Ring in Baggage Carousel
I never talk to strangers on the plane. After my dad died, a passenger helped me talk about my grief.
American Airlines reveals new summer route: Miami → Rome
Budget UK airline launches huge sale with £29 flights to 475 holiday hotspots – but you’ll have to be quick
Delta Passengers Can Book a ‘Last Mile’ Private Jet Charter to Europe This Summer
Honeywell Runway Safety Technology Selected by Southwest Airlines for Fleetwide Installation
Southwest Airlines Adds Cockpit Alerts to Boost Runway Safety
This Airline Is Going to Start Handing Out $675 Fines to 'Unruly' Passengers: 'It Is Unacceptable'
Summer of savings? New analysis shows airfare has dropped significantly - The Points Guy
Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Pigeons Cause Chaos on Delta Flight
United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter
United Continues to Face Catering Chaos at San Francisco
Passenger Stows Away on Delta Flight from New York to Paris
Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet
Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive
BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship
Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer
San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you
First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey
Ryanair forecasts fare rebound as consumers recover from interest-rate hit
Alaska Airlines' “Aviation Day” inspires future aviators
Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'
Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule
Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit
Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues
Qatar Airways places record $96 billion Boeing order amid Trump visit
United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety
American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights
British Airways to use AI in efforts to improve operations
Southwest Airlines reports safe landing after Boeing 737 MAX struck by lightning
Policy
Webp messenger creation 1e4a65de 1ccb 447a 9900 418f8b8feed0
Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX | Official Website

On Sunday, The Aviation Herald reported an incident involving a Southwest Airlines flight operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8. The aircraft was reportedly struck by lightning while approaching Denver, resulting in a temporary loss of communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC). Despite this, the plane landed safely shortly afterward.

As of yesterday, the aircraft remained grounded in Denver for repairs. While lightning strikes are common for commercial aircraft, this case was notable due to the loss of two-way communications. Blind instructions were issued by ATC as the aircraft could not send return communications.

Southwest Airlines provided more information through a representative: "On May 25, Flight 168 from Tampa International Airport to Denver International Airport sustained a possible lightning strike while inbound to DEN and landed safely. Our maintenance teams took the aircraft out of service for inspection. There were no injuries."

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The incident involved the 737-8 MAX with registration N8887Q on flight 168 from Tampa International Airport (TPA), Florida, to Denver International Airport (DEN), Colorado. After the reported lightning strike and communication loss, it landed safely at 20:36 on Denver's runway 17L, about 12 minutes later. According to FlightAware data, it remained on the ground in Denver approximately 15.5 hours after landing. Emergency crews responded per standard protocol, and there were no injuries reported.

Passenger Elizabeth Torrez recounted her experience during turbulence before landing: "So I was just kind of looking out the window...and all of a sudden I just see this bright light...and kind of shook our seats...I think we just got hit by lightning."

According to The Aviation Herald, when struck at 11,000 feet on approach to Denver, ATC transmitted instructions 'into the blind' which were received and followed by N8887Q for safe landing coordination around other planes.

Post-landing inspections are routine following such incidents according to aviation expert Greg Feith: "Typically...the crew will do an assessment in flight after the strike...mechanics will look for that to determine extent of damage."

Lightning strikes are frequent occurrences as noted by National Weather Service statistics showing each passenger aircraft is typically struck once or twice annually; however outgoing communication failures like this remain uncommon due largely due robustness built into VHF radio equipment components designed against such events.

This incident contrasts with ongoing equipment issues at Newark Liberty International Airport causing radar blackouts leading delays cancellations.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Etihad Airways has announced the introduction of new routes to Salalah, Oman, starting May 21, 2026, and Krakow, Poland, beginning June 16, 2026.

Jul 3, 2025

Allegiant Air has announced the launch of its Summer of Travel Sweepstakes on X, offering participants a chance to win a summer of flights for two.

Jul 3, 2025

Airlines for America has called for the modernization of the U.S. air traffic control system amid record air travel and a growing reliance on air cargo shipments.

Jul 3, 2025

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has issued travel recommendations for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, advising passengers to arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights.

Jul 3, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines has announced the commencement of a new four-times-weekly passenger service to Porto, Portugal.

Jul 3, 2025

Hainan Airlines has announced the formal implementation of its codeshare agreement with Air Europa, set to commence on July 1, 2025.

Jul 3, 2025