Airliner returns to Los Angeles after lightning strike

An Alaska Airlines plane carrying 159 passengers made a safe emergency landing in Los Angeles after it was struck by lightning.

Airline spokeswoman Bobbie Egan says the flight left Los Angeles International Airport around 12:40 pm (local time) yesterday and returned within the hour.

The flight had been heading to Reagan National Airport near Washington, DC.

Egan says passengers on board didn't feel anything when the lightning struck, and that the Boeing 737 is designed to withstand lightning.

She says a maintenance crew is inspecting the plane.