Definition

Lightning Strikes can and do occur to helicopters in certain atmospheric conditions where there would otherwise be no similar electrical discharge without the presence of the helicopter.

Discussion

The helicopter-triggered lightning strike phenomenon has been found to occur during operations over the North Sea between November and early April when there is usually little or no natural lightning activity in progress at the time. Over the past 20 years it appears that there have been 1-2 of these strikes each winter. It has also been considered significant that no strikes have been recorded to North Sea helicopters in summer months when the level of natural lightning activity is significantly greater than during the winter months.