F/A-18 Lightning Strike Video

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A Kuwait Air Force F/A-18 pilot's cockpit camera captured a direct lightning strike to his canopy during a training flight, a relatively rare event to be recorded.
  • The pilot was shaken by the noisy encounter but managed to land safely and was unharmed, despite the bolt hitting close to his head.
  • The aircraft sustained damage to its canopy, visible after landing, and will require maintenance, demonstrating the resilience of modern aircraft in such incidents.
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Lightning strikes are relatively common on aircraft but not many show up on cockpit video. A Kuwait air force F/A-18 Hornet pilot was on a training flight when his glareshield cam caught a bolt from the blue hitting the canopy next to his head. He was shaken up by the noisy encounter but landed safely, sporting proof of the jolt on the canopy. He was OK but the aircraft will need some work.

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