B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Troubleshooting; Distraction; Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Diverted; General Maintenance Action
Weather; Aircraft; Human Factors
This report is submitted for your information; NOT due to any Safety errors or omissions. Lightning strike occurred on climb departing ZZZ. Took off from [the] Runway after a brief delay on runway to evaluate weather radar returns north of the field. 40 NM display indicated no convective weather; solid green with 50% coverage of small yellow patches. Shortly after flaps were retracted and landing gear handle was moved to OFF; lightning struck the nose of the aircraft. There was a very loud and sharp bang. Both Pilots were flash blinded for about ten seconds. There was significant noise; vibration in the floor of the cockpit; and the landing gear appeared to be extended. We had three green and three red landing gear lights on forward instrument panel; and three green landing gear lights on the overhead panel. I pushed the Master Caution Recall; all clear. We did not see any circuit breakers tripped.There were no other abnormalities; all avionics and navigation appeared normal. The aircraft was pressurizing normally. We continued climb. When the landing gear handle was moved to DOWN the three red lights extinguished and there was no sound nor feeling of landing gear motion. We concluded the landing gear was down safely. We both believed we had structural damage to the aircraft to cause such vibration; although the radome looked normal from the cockpit. Both Flight Attendants in the forward jump seats felt the noise and vibration levels were not normal. Coordinated with Dispatch to divert out of an abundance of caution. ZZZ1 was the nearest suitable airport because of current weather over ZZZ and ZZZ2. We flew a low approach from the ILS and ZZZ1 Tower stated everything appeared normal on the aircraft. Elected to hold to reduce landing weight; but still landed slightly overweight because of weather approaching ZZZ1. ZZZ1 Fire Department checked the aircraft after landing. Uneventful taxi to the gate. Cursory post flight inspection showed burn marks on nose and forward fuselage but no structural damage. Frequent PAs kept all Passengers at ease. Of 136 customers only two chose not to fly to ZZZ3 (an elderly couple; wife in a wheelchair); I talked with them and they assured me it was not due to stress but it had been a long day for them already and they 'just preferred' to go to a hotel and travel to ZZZ3 the next day.
B737 Captain reported experiencing a lightning strike after which there was an aircraft vibration of an unknown source.