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

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.