USAF study excerpt (published BASJ - Volume 7):
QUOTE
The following lightning-caused damages are from 773 documented USAF strike mishaps:
? Pilot disorientation/blinding
? Instrument failure
? Flight control failure
? Fuel tank burnout/explosions
? Engine flameout, electrical failure
? Non-metallic helicopter rotor blade failure
? Aircraft structure deformation/burnout
? Acoustic shock/magnetic forces
? Non-metallic aircraft surface components
You may be surprised that lightning strikes cause more than half the weather-related USAF mishaps. From 1975 through 1985 these cost nearly $80 million damage, 10 aircraft and eight lives.
UNQUOTE
In 1994 I suffered a lightning strike in Southerna Africa that deleted the No. 2 EADC, burnt a 2 inch hole in the left wingtip and blew off the entire trailing edge of the elevator. Fanciful? I suggest not!
