Incident Overview
On January 24, 2012, at approximately 1927 Central Standard Time, American Eagle flight EGF3376, an Embraer E145LR regional jet, encountered a lightning strike shortly after departure from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The aircraft was operating a scheduled passenger flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121, with an intended destination of Madison, Wisconsin (MSN). Following the strike, the crew declared an emergency and the flight was diverted to Little Rock, Arkansas, where the aircraft landed without further incident. The 50 passengers and 3 crewmembers were not injured.
Weather Conditions
National Weather Service radar data for the area indicated moderate to extreme intensity precipitation along the aircraft's route. Archived lightning data obtained after the incident showed that EGF3376 passed through an area of recorded scattered lightning and near a region of concentrated lightning activity coinciding with extreme precipitation just before the crew reported the strike. The aircraft was operating under an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan and receiving air traffic control (ATC) services.
Air Traffic Control Communications
EGF3376 departed DFW at 1912 and was provided radar vectors toward the "east gate" used for departures from Fort Worth Terminal Radar Approach Control (D10) airspace. Due to severe weather in the area, the north and south arrival/departure routes were closed; aircraft heading northeast were routed through the east gate via the DFW VORTAC 064 radial or south of it. The aircraft was instructed to proceed direct to NOBLY waypoint before being handed off to Fort Worth Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZFW).
At 1923, the aircraft called ZFW sector 83, climbing through 12,000 feet for 17,000 feet. The controller recleared the pilot to climb and maintain FL190. Shortly thereafter, the pilot requested a 20-degree left deviation for weather, which was approved as a 10-degree deviation. At 1924:51, the pilot inquired about weather ahead; the controller reported moderate and heavy precipitation returns until north of Texarkana. The pilot then asked about returning to Dallas, but the controller noted moderate precipitation behind and south. The pilot also explored a northward deviation but was informed that arrivals over Bonham prevented that option.
At 1927:38, the crew declared an emergency, reporting a lightning strike and requesting a diversion to Little Rock. The controller cleared the aircraft direct to Little Rock at flight level 180 and offered additional assistance, which was declined.
Aftermath and Damage Assessment
The aircraft was subsequently handled by ZFW sectors 37 and 27, then Memphis Center, and eventually Little Rock approach, where it landed without further incident. A post-flight maintenance inspection revealed lightning damage to the left wing, requiring replacement of the left wingtip and left aileron, along with additional repairs to skin and rivets on the left wing. The incident was documented in the ATC Group Chairman's Factual Report.