Originally Posted by
SNS3Guppy
If you're referring to a Schleicher ASK-21, the obvious question would be why the aircraft was being operated near thunderstorms in the first place. Convective activity and lift, yes. Thunderstorms, no. Bad idea. Welcome to the Darwin Club.
A worthwhile question, and one I'm sure was asked at the time and which is hinted at in the AAIB report, which also comments that this very strong bolt occured not that far from LHR.
The strike was estimated to be some 8-9 times stronger than lightning certified aricraft have to tolerate and I believe have or will affect the certification requirements.
http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources...pdf_500699.pdf
Thankfully the two occupants survived, because they were wearing parachutes, and because despite all the things that can go wrong the parachutes worked and
AFAIK that is generally the case when people manage to bail out of gliders.