Lightning Strike Hits Aircraft

Watch closely at the tail of the plane. (looking for a lightning strike) Then replay it and watch the front landing gear. Then wonder why we don’t refuel airplanes when there is lightning in the area. Lightning strike to a plane at the gate. You’ll need to watch it a few times; it’s only about 11 seconds. Three key things/areas to watch — first watch the tail of the aircraft as the bolt hits the vertical stab, do not blink, it happens that fast. Next, watch the nose of the aircraft where ground crew is walking up to, and under, the nose of the plane. Then, look just to your left of the nose gear. That brown square on the ground is a metal plate imbedded in the concrete, with a small manhole cover. The strike exits onto the metal plate, and sends the manhole cover flying through the air toward the tug on the far left."