The performance evaluation of the ground lightning location system can be achieved by theoretical simulation, and also by direct observations based on the facts of artificially triggered lightning or natural lightning. Due to the randomness and instantaneity of the occurrence of natural lightning, there are few direct observation facts. So far, the performance evaluation of the cloudtoground lightning location system based on the real return strokes of lightning happened naturally is still lacking. This study is based on the investigation of the lightning incident at Chaoshan Airport in Guangdong Province on 30 May 2016. The study evaluates the location performance of the ADTD cloudtoground lightning in the area, and at the same time calculates the location errors of different stations through the airport lightning incident with clear location. The results show that the ADTD lightning location system can accurately record the lightning events of Chaoshan Airport in real time, which shows its practicability and accuracy. Through the relocation calculation, it is found that the stations with larger errors can be removed in the multistation location, which can ensure the increased accuracy of location results， but the location results mentioned above may not be optimal.