Don't look now, but the ERJ that I fly is very susceptible to lightning strikes. The company for which I work has had numerous lightning strikes.
On the ERJ, instruments are often affected, holes are left in the nose,tail and sometimes the wing.
Several of our aircraft, after being struck by lightning, had constant static in the radios. On further inspection, it was found that the static wicks were burned to a veritable crisp.
The worst scenario, however, is one in which the elevator cables weld to the frame of the aircraft. We have had two aircraft do just that.
Rumor has it, however, that each of our aircraft, just prior to being struck, were in the following configuration:
1. Down low and slowed down for turbulence.
2. Radios began to "crackle" and "hiss" (all ERJ pilots know what I am talking about).
3. The smell of ozone came, then the "big bang."
The loud bang was so loud in one aircraft that the flight attendant, who was sitting in her jumpseat at the time, had an ear drum rupture.
So much for lightning strikes being benign.
Somebody help me get on with CX....
