You must mean the ASK21 GBP which was destroyed near the London Gliding
Club, Dunstable on 17th April 1999.

The AAIB report may be found at
http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources...pdf_500699.pdf .

The pictures and other illustrations do not appear to be available, though I
have them, downloaded when the report was first published.

W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.).
Remove "ic" to reply.


"Mike the Strike" wrote in message
oups.com...


I'm mildly curious as to what pathway lightning might follow through my
carbon and glass fibre glider (not curious enough to experiment
however). Like Micki, I also believe the story.

Ray Warshaw
1LK


Vehicles are quite often struck by lightning and the damage varies from
nothing at all to (most often) damage to electrical and electronic
components, occasionally blown tires and (rarely) broken glass.
Lightning injuries inside vehicles are rare, but have been reported.

Damage to gliders depends on the current magnitude and duration of the
strike. Many gliders have survived weak cloud flashes with little
physical damage - I have personally examined two. The larger currents
of ground flashes can be more exciting as the arcs inside the glider
structure cause a large pressure pulse that can split a wing or blow
off the canopy. A severe positive ground flash blew a glider apart in
Britain a few years ago.

You may get a few warning signs when approaching an electrified cloud.
My Discus 2 produces small sparks from the release handle to my left
leg! Definitely a sign that you should fly somewhere else!

Mike