An American Airlines Airbus A321-200 outbound from Charlotte, NC to Seattle,WA made a precautionary return to Charlotte after sustaining a lightning strike on 20 December 2024.
American Airlines flight AA506, operated by an Airbus A321-200, had conducted a departure from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). The aircraft was operating a scheduled service bound for Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
American Airlines AA506 Charlotte-Seattle
During the climb after takeoff from Charlotte, the aircraft sustained a lightning strike. Following the incident, flight crew elected to make a precautionary return to the origin airport.
A direct return to Charlotte Douglas International airport was carried out. The aircraft landed without further incident just under one hour after its initial departure.
A subsequent report by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the event and the damage sustained to the aircraft. “Aircraft departed and was struck by lightning damaging the nose. Charlotte, NC.”
Flight Details
Flight data shows that flight AA506 had made a delayed departure out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport at 1721 local time on 20 December. Scheduled departure time for the service was listed as 1618 local time.
Following the takeoff, the flight was setting course and had passed through FL290 on climb when it was struck by lightning. The climb procedure was then terminated and a descent and direct return to the origin airport was initiated.
The aircraft conducting the AA506 service to Seattle Tacoma International Airport was an Airbus A321-200, registered N996AN. This is an 8.1 year old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the carrier American Airlines.
It has been in operational service with the airline since its initial delivery from the factory in December 2016.
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