Summer is the season for thunderstorms, and sometimes lightning can strike an aircraft that is flying. However, a lightning strike on an aircraft is not dangerous, as aircraft are designed to withstand lightning strikes. For an airline the size of Finnair, lightning typically strikes planes dozens of times a year.
The aircraft fuselage is designed to withstand lightning strikes
Pilots try to avoid thunderstorm clouds and fronts. Individual thunderstorm clouds can normally be avoided, but sometimes pilots have to fly through a thunderstorm, which also increases the risk of a possible lightning strike. Thunderclouds can appear in altitudes between one and over ten kilometres. Most often lightning strikes occur during takeoff or before landing when the aircraft is reducing its altitude.
Lightning usually strikes an aircraft on the front side of the plane's co*ckpit. The edge of the co*ckpit window is a typical point of impact. The aluminium fuselage of the aircraft conducts electricity well, and due to that, the lightning discharge does not affect the inside of the aircraft. The discharge travels onwards along the outer surface of the aircraft and exits again into the atmosphere, typically from the tips of the wing, control surfaces or the tail of the aircraft.
In aviation, safety always comes first. For an aircraft type approval to be granted, the aircraft manufacturer must demonstrate through extensive certification tests that the aircraft's lightning protection is sufficient. Due to careful testing, the passengers and equipment inside the aircraft are safe.
Passengers often notice a lightning strike by a bang and a simultaneous flash outside the aircraft. It might scare you, but it's nothing to worry about.
Thunderstorms are taken into account in the co*ckpit and in maintenance
Pilots avoid flying during thunderstorms if possible. Aircraft have a weather radar, which allows pilots to avoid possible thunderclouds along the flight route. When flying at night, pilots adjust the co*ckpit lighting to brighter mode so that their eyes get used to the bright light in case of a possible lightning strike. As a precautionary measure, pilots also turn on the seat belt sign in the cabin to ensure the safety of passengers and cabin crew in case of turbulence.
As in the cabin, the lightning strike can be seen and heard in the co*ckpit as well. After the strike, pilots ensure that all devices, such as radios, work normally.
Pilots report the lightning strike to technical staff, and after the aircraft lands, it undergoes a thorough inspection. The most typical areas of damage are overhangs and rivets of the surface plates. Any damages are repaired according to the aircraft manufacturer’s instructions, and after that, the aircraft is ready to fly again.
FAQs
If a plane is struck by lightning, the pilots check all the systems to ensure everything is functioning. If a serious issue is detected, the aircraft will divert to land at the nearest airport. This only happens in extreme cases, as flights usually continue to their destinations after a strike.
What happens if lightning strikes an airplane? ›
Thankfully, planes are great conductors of electricity as they are made of aluminum, copper and other metals, which means the charge can enter and exit the aircraft without impacting the inside of the aircraft and its passengers.
How do planes react to lightning? ›
According to the National Weather Service in the U.S., passenger planes are generally “hit by lightning an average of one or two times a year.” “They are designed and built to have conducting paths through the plane to take the lightning strike and conduct the currents,” the agency explains.
Is lightning a big problem when it strikes an aircraft? ›
A lightning strike on an aircraft can be frightening, but usually has no serious consequences. Aircraft are designed to withstand lightning strikes both in the air and on the ground. Passengers are protected by the so-called Faraday cage.
How is aircraft protected from lightning strikes? ›
Faraday Cage: Faraday cage is a conductive structure that keeps electric fields out or traps them inside. The Faraday cage used in aircraft consists of a conductive material integrated into the outer surface of the aircraft body. Lightning carries high voltage and current when it strikes the aircraft fuselage.
Can planes still fly with lightning? ›
Conclusion: Is it Safe to Fly During a Storm? Ultimately, it is usually perfectly safe for planes to fly in storms. Today's aircraft, especially big passenger airplanes, are designed to deal with lightning strikes, rain, and other conditions.
How long do planes have to wait after lightning? ›
Inside aircraft and vehicles is safe, because the lightning will ground through the skin and not get inside, but out on the ramp it wouldn't be. 10 minutes is long enough to consider the storm no longer active.
What happens if lightning strikes the ocean? ›
When lightning strikes, most of electrical discharge occurs near the water's surface. Most fish swim below the surface and are unaffected. Although scientists don't know exactly just how deep the lightning discharge reaches in water, it's very dangerous to be swimming or boating during a thunderstorm.
What happens if a plane flies too high? ›
Because the higher you go, the thinner the air, going too high can make it tough to keep the plane in the air. Why? There will not be enough lift to do so. Above 25,000 feet or so, air pressure begins to drop.
What is the greatest threat of a thunderstorm to an aircraft? ›
Hail. (1) Hail competes with turbulence as the greatest thunderstorm hazard to aircraft. Supercooled drops above the freezing level begin to freeze.
Apparently, passenger planes are struck by lightning an average of once or twice every year because airplanes are essentially lightning rods.
Why do planes avoid lightning? ›
Lightning Protection: Aircraft are equipped with lightning protection systems that help to dissipate the electrical charge from a lightning strike safely. The exterior surfaces of aircraft, such as the skin and edges of wings, are designed to conduct electrical currents and direct them away from critical components.
How do pilots avoid lightning? ›
Every commercial passenger carrying aircraft is fitted with airborne radar to detect thunderstorms and because this radar can locate thunderstorms as far away as 120 miles this gives a pilot plenty of time to take avoiding action.
Can commercial planes withstand lightning? ›
All large aircraft are designed to withstand lighting strikes without suffering significant damage, Airbus said. However, many planes, like small private and experimental aircraft, are not required to be designed for protection from lightning, the weather service said.
Can a plane fly with one engine? ›
Having just one engine operating means you won't have the maximum thrust power for take off, but you'd be able to fly and land just fine. But while a plane can fly on one engine, it is very rare for an engine to go down in the middle of a flight.
How can lightning strike a plane if it's not grounded? ›
The aluminum fuselage of an airplane is just like a great big wire. When the great big wire gets between two parts of a storm cloud with different charges, it shorts out the cloud and POW! you have lightning striking the plane. (Lightning doesn't have to reach the ground.)
Has a plane ever crashed from turbulence? ›
It's almost unheard of for turbulence to cause a crash, but it can lead to costly repairs for carriers. Usually, the damage is to cabin components like seats and overhead bins when luggage falls out or people hit them. Turbulence-related damage, delays and injuries cost airlines up to $500 million per year.
Are planes built to withstand turbulence? ›
Airplanes are designed to withstand rough conditions and it is rare for aircraft to incur structural damage because of turbulence. But turbulence can toss passengers and crew members around, potentially causing grave injuries.
