lightning strike on an airliner
I was inbound to LHR from TXL on Friday on BA 985 when, just as I was pointing out the Millenium Dome to my travelling companion, I saw (and instantaneously heard)a fork of lightning hit the left wing tip of the 757. I was surprised at how loud the bang was inside the cabin and, judging by the reaction of my fellow passengers, most of whom would not have seen the event, it unerved a good many of them.
There was no explanation from the flight crew untill we were pulling onto the stand. The Captain anounced that a lightning bolt had hit the aircraft just beside his left knee.
Are lightning strikes a regular occurence?
As an aircraft is not earthed, do they just pass through the aeroplane as though it were not there, or can it cause damage?
Should flight crew not inform the passengers immediately as the bang was obvious to everyone?