WX encounter with static discharge. No adverse result.

Attributes
ACN	480800
Time
Date	200008
Day	Tue
Place
State Reference	NJ
Altitude	msl single value : 12000
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Weather Elements	Thunderstorm Turbulence Rain
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zny.artcc
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	MD-80 Super 80
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	descent : vacating altitude
Route In Use	arrival : on vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
ASRS Report	480800
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : multi engine pilot : commercial pilot : instrument
Events
Anomaly	inflight encounter : turbulence inflight encounter : weather non adherence : clearance other anomaly other other spatial deviation
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	none taken : anomaly accepted
Consequence	other
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Environmental Factor Weather
Primary Problem	Weather
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

Suspected static discharge in vicinity of cells. 15 mi northwest of colts neck VOR, while on descent through 12000 ft and maneuvering between cells in a left turn, ATC requested a right turn. When we rolled through wings level, the radar painted red straight ahead. An immediate left turn was made and we heard a pop. All equipment operated normally. No damage on postflt or maintenance inspection. Aircraft was in moderate chop and moderate to heavy precipitation.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: WX ENCOUNTER WITH STATIC DISCHARGE. NO ADVERSE RESULT.

Narrative: SUSPECTED STATIC DISCHARGE IN VICINITY OF CELLS. 15 MI NW OF COLTS NECK VOR, WHILE ON DSCNT THROUGH 12000 FT AND MANEUVERING BTWN CELLS IN A L TURN, ATC REQUESTED A R TURN. WHEN WE ROLLED THROUGH WINGS LEVEL, THE RADAR PAINTED RED STRAIGHT AHEAD. AN IMMEDIATE L TURN WAS MADE AND WE HEARD A POP. ALL EQUIP OPERATED NORMALLY. NO DAMAGE ON POSTFLT OR MAINT INSPECTION. ACFT WAS IN MODERATE CHOP AND MODERATE TO HVY PRECIP.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.