Lightning strikes!
 

Some interesting goings on out of Sydney this morning.

No less than 3, yes 3, domestic Jet transports reported lightning strikes outbound in the south of the terminal area. They were just the one's that I heard!

My greatest concern however was that they all elected to continue! One VA aircraft however later advised that the company had directed them to divert.

I've had a few (lightning strikes) over the years, and I've always diverted to the nearest suitable aerodrome, regardless of whether the aircraft appeared to be performing normally or not. On one occasion there was a neat hole drilled through the Radome!

Maybe our procedures are different to theirs, but on the surface it seems to me to be risky behavior.

Opinions?

Maybe that Virgin jet was off to somewhere they didn't have engineering available? No point grounding a jet, pending maint action at an outstation if you don't have to.

I agree with 'W9' unless it's obvious that the lightening strike did cause issues then some decisions have to be made re possible unnecessary diversions due no maint.
A/C get zapped all the time the world over, it's a common occurrence often not even known by the 'fright' crew:-)
This is what CMD decisions are all about, this is why Capt's get paid the big bucks:E.

Wmk2

Krusty,

The domestic narrowbody jet I fly has a Lightning Strike procedure and checklist. The checklist contains a check of all systems and if or Ok the flight can proceed. Should there be an unsafe condition of any system then a diversion to the nearest suitable airport should be considered.

GAFA, agreed. Aircraft have lightning checklists. If you complete the systems checks and tick the boxes you are right to go basically.
However, aircraft type does come in to it. Although a Boeing driver, I have mates who fly the buses and they 'apparently' are more susceptible to strikes due to the electronic/computer hardware.
Any generalist avionics gingerbeers care to comment? I'm pretty interested in opinions and experience on this matter, maybe there is an unofficial list of which aircraft type are more prone to be damaged from strikes than another?
Although I admit that the strength of the discharge, location of strike etc can determine the outcome. I have seen a few static ports damaged over the years.

Oleo

Anyone remember the Saab in NZ get hit about 10 years ago? Blew the plastic rudder in half apparently.

...no, but I wouldn't want to be in one of those 'more electric', Tupperware Boeing 787s in a thunderstorm (assuming they fix the battery problem, that is).

Jetstar is welcome to them.

.....and you don't think a company with the expertise of Boeing didn't consider that in the design concept Dart?

Give me a break !!!

Their expertise was't too good when it came to the batteries. How long has the latest Boeing been grounded now?

Yeah. Nah.

The 738 is an absolute lightning magnet

Appreciate the comments guys. I did mention that their procedures might differ from ours, and now I know!

I wonder if the checklist will tell the crew that there's a hole in the Radome? I guess it would become apparent when the incoming water does it's job.

Sometimes Wally, command decision making means thinking outside the checklist.

Incoming! :E

Couldn't agree with you more 'Krusty':-) Checklists, SOP's etc are all fine but they can't cover every scenario & thinking outside the square is at times yr only option so one has to show CMD judgement, something that is slowly being taken away from the skipper. Bit of the old damned if you do damned if ya don't!

Once the all mighty, the feared & respected commander of an airliner was everything now he's/she's just trying to stay out of the CP's office for fear of punishment from all corners of the legal ring!

Wmk2

I know Wal'

Bane of us all these days. :ok:

Would a crew of an airliner necessarily know they've been struck by lightning?

Static discharges
 

Some pilots may confuse lightning strikes when they are in fact just static discharges. Very common around the freezing level. They still pack a punch and leave holes in the aircraft and blinding at night but they're not necessarily associated with TS.

Some 'peripheral' T-VASIS. It's grounded the aircraft for, I say again, how long? The battery ventilation, fire control, acceptance and reliance on these batteries are a Boeing issue.

But I'll throw you a bone and state that I'm not too happy when I am struck by lightning in my Airbus, either. So far no problems in 18 years, but there is always a first time...

No

10charactersreqd

radios all work ? check
Compass vaguely accurate ? check
Systems ops normal ? check
Onward my son, onward. :ok:

Totally agree.