Lightning, keep your hands to yourself!

[ackeight]

So it wasn't me, but someone got struck by lightning last night and was over 20 miles away from detectable strikes on the strikefinder. I guess mother nature had it out for us. From what I hear the blade, engine, and wingtip is being replaced. I was wondering about why the engine needed to be replaced, and Pratt says that it magnetizes the engine and causes drag. You learn something new every day.

 

[PA44-LUV]

Wow....

 

[Roger, Roger]

I always thought engine replacement was because the electrical current screws up bearings as it arcs from the outer race through the rollers and to the inner race.

 

[ackeight]

I'm sure it's not good for a lot of things in the engine. It was my fav PC-12 we have too

 

[cmill]

so that's why planes have static wicks, huh?

Notice ever part that got hit was on a tip of the plane. Blade tips, wing tips, and that other place might not have been a tip, i cant remember without looking. but a .666 aint bad.

Also, id be interested to know what altitude it was at and still get hit 20+ miles out. Id rather not admit how many times ive been through t-storm at lower altitudes, but i haven't suffered a hit yet. Come so close i could hear thunder through my headset, but never a direct hit.

 

[jynxyjoe]

so that's why planes have static wicks, huh?

Notice ever part that got hit was on a tip of the plane. Blade tips, wing tips, and that other place might not have been a tip, i cant remember without looking. but a .666 aint bad.

Also, id be interested to know what altitude it was at and still get hit 20+ miles out. Id rather not admit how many times ive been through t-storm at lower altitudes, but i haven't suffered a hit yet. Come so close i could hear thunder through my headset, but never a direct hit.

There is a percentage that are struck outside the 20nm range. It's not terribly common but it does happen.

I wasn't a hundred percent sure what you were commenting on about the static wicks, but I'd just mention to anyone reading, wicks aren't meant to dissipate lightning, they are trying to decrease the potential difference of the aircraft with relation to the surrounding air.

As far as the engine to the OP, yeah magnetizing screws a lot of stuff up in there but i can't remember the list. I do believe the Pratt guys said to me once the engine being magnetized is a good indication things inside the engine we're "struck" so time for an overhaul. If that helps any. Love to hear from some mechanical professionals on the subject.

 

[ftyflyboy]

From what I hear the blade, engine, and wingtip is being replaced.

The left seat will need to be replaced too....or just a thorough steam cleaning.

 

[upup89]

Cool pics.