Lightning hits Qld premier`s plane mid-air

Lightning has struck an aircraft carrying Premier Anna Bligh and Major-General Mick
Slater, the man tasked with Queensland's massive flood recovery.
The bolt struck the plane in mid-air on Sunday after the pair had inspected flood
damage in central Queensland.
"The premier was returning from a tour of the flood-ravaged town of Theodore when
lightning hit the aircraft at about 2.10pm (AEST) over Maleny," a statement said.
"There was a loud bang and a flash of white light through the plane and scorch marks
appeared on both wing tips and the tail."
The lightning strike destroyed two static wicks on the wings.
The engines and navigation equipment continued to operate normally and the plane
landed without incident at Brisbane Airport at 2.35pm.
The King Air aircraft has been used during the floods to transport personnel and
supplies to flood-affected towns.
Engineers will examine the aircraft which is expected to be out of operation for
some time, Ms Bligh's office said.
The Queensland government also has a jet but it is unable to land in many of the
flood-affected areas, so a replacement King Air was sourced to assist with flood
operations.