RE:
Lightning strike not uncommon - just remember not only does it strike, but it has to make an exit too - hopefully missing components along the way
Thanks a lot for your replies.
I assume then that things like fuel tanks would be in some way protected from lightning strikes?
Is there some other vital component that could be affected, such as navigation equipment or tail flaps (are they called ailerons, or did i make that up?) that would bring down a plane without it being so badly damnaged that it couldn't make an emergency landing?