Have a look at aaib reports for G-TIGK (lots of good photos of blade damage and test data), G-REDM & G-CHCG.

Lightning risks Planes vis Helicopters
 

Hi,
Can someone answer why lightning is a big risk to flying helicopters, but nowhere near the same risk to aeroplanes>
I'm curious and have no idea really why.:confused:

Lightning risks Planes vis Helicopters
 

Maybe because a plane can glide, but a helicopter can't In the event of damage or engine failure ! Are helicopters not fitted with static wicks ? Good question wyrwb1

Do you know how a Van De Graaff generator works?

Now imagine the twin discs (main rotor and tail rotor) of a helicopter going into a cloud of positively charged particles.

If you get the correct mix of conditions, then BANG! Followed by several pairs of brown pants. Subsequently followed by a bill of hundreds of thousands for lots of very expensive components that will need to be changed.

Which is why the Met Office is now trialling a system that shows offshore pilots areas where the 'triggered lightning risk' is greatest: http://www.oilandgasuk.co.uk/downloadabledocs/1227/6

Well, that'll be news to most of the helo pilots here though I can't for the life of me imagine why or how lightning might knock out engines. Does this happen in flight sim on your pc then?

Lightning passing between the rotor system and the structure of the helo must necessarily pass through the gearbox. This can result in a momentary spot weld occurring between meshing teeth in the gearbox which is of course instantly pulled apart as the gears rotate thus leaving damage to the meshing faces of the teeth. Equals strip and rebuild gearbox - expensive.

Otherwise plastic rotor blades (main or tail) can be physically damaged by lightning thus potentially causing an immediate hazard to flight in a way that would not happen if the flying surfaces of a f/w were damaged.

Lightning
 

Wyrwb1,

Part 29 and the associated Advisory Circular which provides guidance as to what the lightning protection requirements are and how to test and prove compliance, will probably illuminate where the industry is on the subject. Serious business and has a not insignificant impact on the design engineers work in multiple areas.