My mobile medical unit was struck by lightning while traveling on the
interstate near Junction, TX some years ago. The bolt struck the left
forward corner of the trailer and traveled forward to the tractor
wiping out the lights, engine computer, gauges, head, taillight and
marker bulbs and much of the wiring and rearward through the trailer
where the only damage was to the ceramic insulators in the x-ray
processor heater located at least 25 feet aft of the strike. The
trailer framing is steel so the charge apparently traveled through it
to the road protecting the x-ray equipment; the entire cab on the
tractor (GMC Astro), however is fibreglass and the wiring, gauges,
engine, frame rails and computer were the pathway. The driver was
badly frightened, but otherwise OK.

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


MickiMinner wrote:
Mike the Strike wrote:
From the latest SSA news:

"While I know this is going to sound like an excuse right up there with
"The dog ate my homework assignment..." last week the Carswell house in
Midlothian TX was struck by lightning (really).


Well, here in Tucson, we are sometimes known as the "lightning capital"
of America...and I have to tell you, we have a tree in the front yard
that was struck last year, while we were sitting in the house...sounded
like a terrorist bomb attack. The house shook, the power wavered off
and on, and the dogs went to hide. I firmly believe the story!

I have yet (lo, these many years) ever been able to recover a hard
drive from any power surge that great....sorry, I don't hold much hope!
Good luck.

micki minner