An Air Force Orion is damaged after being hit by lightning while taking part in an exercise in Canada.

The strike yesterday morning occurred while 16 people were onboard. No-one was injured.

Wing Commander Nick Olney says the crew immediately checked to see no critical flight systems were affected then returned to base. It was then established that the plane’s radar dome had been damaged.

The Air Force says that at no stage was the Orion’s structural integrity or safety compromised.

www.newstalkzb.co.nz