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Conn.-Bound Flight Safely Lands At MacArthur Airport

NEW YORK (AP/CBSNewYork) -- A passenger jet with 35 aboard landed safely at MacArthur Airport after being struck by lightning.

The Federal Aviation Administration and an airline spokesman said U.S. Airways Express flight 4507 from Philadelphia to New Haven, Conn., was diverted to the airport in the Town of Islip Friday afternoon as a precaution.

FAA spokeswoman Arlene Salac said the pilot reported electrical problems with the aircraft after the lightning strike.

The plane had originally been scheduled to land at 2:30. It was unclear when it was diverted.

U.S. Airways spokesman Andrew Christie says the Bombardier Dash 8 has been taken out of service and is being evaluated. Passengers were bused to New Haven.

The flight was operated by Piedmont Airlines, a subsidiary of U.S. Airways.

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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