Lightning Strike?

[Hartington]

The only time I think I've experienced a lightning strike was not long after departure from Amsterdam on a BA757 back to Heathrow. Big bang, lights went out momentarily and we carried on.

Some friends on their way back from Malta (not sure airline/type) took a strike and the flight diverted to Rome.

This is possibly an unfair question because my knowledge of both strikes is simply what I've already said (which isn't much) but can anyone give me some idea of what different issues can arise after a lightning strike and affect the decision whether to divert or not?

[treadigraph]

Perhaps the ultimate lightning strike was Apollo 12 as it lifted off, scrambling some of the systems onboard - quick thinking by EECOM John Aaron saw the mission continue.

[Doors to Automatic]

Pan Am Flight 214 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_Am_Flight_214)

[aviate1138]

Years ago when BEA were flying Comets out of Geneva a just departed Heathrow bound Comet was struck by lightning at about 3000 feet. A friend [on duty BEA Hostie] said that the cabin lit up as a huge bang coincided with a grapefruit sized ball of fizzing bright light which appeared in the aisle and drifted towards the rear and it frightened a lot of people until it suddenly slewed into an overhead bin with a bang and a few sparks.

[stuminisprite]

Normally damaged rivets on entry and exit. would take a couple of hours of inspections and longer for any rectification work needed

[Lukeafb1]

I was on a RAF Britannia from Wyton to Sharjah in the late 60s or early 70s, when we were struck by lightning as we transitted across the bottom of Egypt ('Nasser's Corner').

An almighty bang and a few small holes right through the fuselage appeared in the passenger cabin. When we got to Sharjah, I spent a few hours repairing them! Bloody frightening at the time, though! :uhoh::uhoh:

[Lightning Mate]

I had one in a Jaguar.

It blew the front off the (empty) starboard drop tank. Lots of buffeting, so jettisoned both tanks - problem over.