Found this Boeing tech note on lightning strike damage... Lightning Strikes: Protection, Inspection, and Repair
You can see how the wheels became the conduit to ground. A great spot to double check for damage... SV
Just a few weeks ago while sitting on the runway at DCA, the A319 I was in got struck. The loudest, most terrifying sound I've ever heard in my life.
Having grown up in Florida, we experienced many lightning strikes and many very near by, like 50 yards. yes, they are LOUD when they are close. I'm still amazed that we kids weren't killed when we swam in the Gulf during thunder storms and were outside a lot. Got kind of complacent about that and sharks. We swam at dusk, in the moonlight, and sometimes I was out in deep water at dawn waiting for the the fishing boat to pick me up. I sure wouldn't do that now.
You would have thought that the lightning would have struck the highest point, the top of the fin.....
