American Airlines Flight Struck by Lightning Makes Emergency Landing at JFK

— -- An American Airlines flight bound for New York's LaGuardia Airport made an emergency landing Thursday night after it was struck by lightning, ABC-owned WABC in New York reported.

American Airlines flight 4233 was en route to LaGuardia from Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina, when a pilot reported a lightning strike around 6:06 p.m. Thursday, according to WABC. The flight was diverted to nearby JFK airport, which has longer runways.

The aircraft -- an Embraer E170 operated by Republic Airlines -- landed safely at JFK, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Passengers on board described a terrifying experience to WABC, with one saying there was a flash of light followed by what sounded like an explosion. No passengers were injured.

The FAA said it is investigating the incident.