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A video taken by Wladimir Castro, an air traffic control specialist in San Juan, shows the wind whipping nearby trees, driving rain and the tail of splashing water left in its wake as the Delta flight landed at 12:01 p.m. After a hurried deplaning, refueling and boarding of 173 passengers, Flight 302 was ready for takeoff just 40 minutes later.

Castro’s video of its departure shows deteriorating conditions, as the sky grew darker and rain looked heavier.

The pilot, whom the National Post understands is a 20-year veteran commercial captain who is a former United States Air Force pilot, did not respond to requests for an interview from the Post and Delta declined to arrange to make him available.

On social media the pilot was largely hailed for his bravery and steady hands, although a few said the flight seemed risky and foolhardy.

Delta downplayed the drama of the flight.

The airline said the plane arrived at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan from New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport to nine miles of visibility and light rain.

“Winds were around 24 knots with gusts up to 31 knots — all well below operating limits for the 737-900ER to safely operate,” Delta said in a written statement.

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The flight out, the last to take off before the airport was closed and the control tower evacuated, took off at 12:41 p.m.

Erik Snell, Delta’s vice president of operations and customer centre, however, praised the airline’s flight crew and meteorology team for plotting safe passage.