B717 (Formerly MD-95)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Distraction; Training / Qualification; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Weather
When climbing out and flying through rain and in smooth air we were struck by lightning.  We got the 'left engine compressor stall' alert.  The engine indications were normal before and after the lightning strike.  We continued climbing above 10;000 toward our filed destination.  We evaluated the airplane and informed the flight attendants and the passengers what happened.  After about 15;000 FT I contacted Dispatch/Maintenance and explained the occurrence.  Dispatch/Maintenance decided they wanted the airplane to land at a Maintenance Station.  We diverted and swapped airplanes.
A B717 received a LEFT ENGINE COMPRESSOR STALL alert after being struck by lightning on departure.  Flight diverted to an enroute airport.