US plane with 168 passengers struck by lightning

Over 160 people aboard a US carrier had a lucky escape when the aircraft was hit by lightning which damaged the plane's weather radar.

Over 160 people aboard a US carrier had a lucky escape when the aircraft was hit by lightning which damaged the plane's weather radar.

Following the incident, the Frontier Airlines flight to Seattle was diverted to Salt Lake City on Friday night.

The lightning damaged the plane's weather radar, said Tyri Squyres, a Frontier spokeswoman. Because of bad weather in Denver, it was not safe to return to its starting point without the radar system, she said.

The plane was traveling to Seattle when lightning hit around 6:50 p.m. It made a U-turn to get to Salt Lake, Squyres said. None of the 168 passengers were injured, and no other damage was caused to the airplane, Denver Post reported.

The number of crew aboard the flight was not mentioned.

The flight was delayed in Salt Lake for several hours while repairs were made.

Frontier Airlines was in the news last week when the airline's plane bound for the Mile High City, Colorado, from Washington was diverted after thunderstorms and lightning pummeled the Denver area.

Gerhard Bradner, the captain of the plane ordered 50 pizzas -- enough for the whole plane -- when severe thunderstorms on Monday forced the plane to divert to southern Wyoming. He paid out of his own pocket for the pizzas.