When a lightening bolt hits an airplane in flight, how come it doesn't destroy the plane's electronic system?

Answer 1

Lightning is conducted by the skin around the outside of the plane and the electronic are shielded against lightning strikes.

Answer 2

The metal skin of the plane routes the electricity from the lightning protecting everything inside the plane including the electronics and the passengers. Same thing happens if lightning hits a car. The chassis is the electrical ground.

Answer 3

Protection begins with the fact that airliners, and the majority of other airplanes, are made of aluminum, which is a very good electrical conductor. A lightning bolt's electricity flows along the airplane's skin and into the air.

Answer 4

When a plane is struck by lightning the electricity travels only on the outside of the aircraft and is dissipated buy the outer aluminum. and since the inner part of the plane is sealed (aircraft parts and passenger/cargo) the plane is not effected on the inside.

Answer 5

The lightning only strikes the aircraft because the plane has less electrical resistance, its simply using it as a pathway to the ground.

Answer 6

It sometimes does. It also causes airplanes to crash.
http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20001212X21697&key=1

Answer 7

aircraft are equipped with static discharge wicks that safely route the lightning to a neutral ground.

Answer 8

The plane has no ground connection!!!

Answer 9

Because it is not grounded.
About the same reason a bird can land on a power line and live.

Answer 10

The lightning bolt doesn't do that because the metal on the airplane is real thick.