SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — An aircraft emergency was reported Tuesday morning at the Springfield-Branson National Airport after a United Express flight was reportedly struck by lightning.
A spokeswoman for the airport said the United Express Embraer ERJ-145XR was struck by lightning twice near the Missouri/Arkansas state border before safely returning to Springfield. All passengers and crew members were reported safe and uninjured.
Emergency crews responded to the airport around 7:27 a.m. Tuesday, with alerts indicating an aircraft emergency near Airport Boulevard and warning drivers to be prepared to stop in the area.
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Flight tracking data shows the aircraft had been in the air for a little more than 30 minutes and was originally bound for Houston before returning. Data indicated the aircraft reached speeds of more than 420 mph and climbed to nearly 15,000 feet in altitude before the incident…