Do lightening strike aeroplanes?

Answer 1

In some cases, lighning has struck some commercial jets but typically there isn't much damage. There is a risk though that planes can crash due to being struck by lightning but generally this is extremely rare.

Answer 2

It is very common that lightning hits an airplane. Similar to a car, an airplane offers very good protection to those inside, only better since it is a better example of a Faraday cage than a car is.

All though I have never seen it in print, I suspect that similar to lightning researchers who fire rockets into thunderstorms trailing a wire to initiate lightning strokes, an airplane flying near thunderstorms can have a similar effect and actually initiate a lighting stroke.

The only accident I can recall where a commercial aircraft was brought down was on December 8, 1962 lighting hit a Pan American Boeing 707 in a holding pattern over Elkton, Md. The lightning caused a spark that ignited fuel vapor in a tank, causing an explosion that brought the plane down, killing all 81 aboard.

Due to that accident, a lot of testing was done and added features to protect the fuel and electrical systems added to further reduce the risk of lightning caused problems. Since then, it is estimated that commercial aircraft average being hit at least once each year in flight with very few problems associated. They would be hit more often if it wasn't for the fact that pilots are taught to avoid thunderstorms if at all possible.

Answer 3

Yes, it may, but rarely. This is because airplanes are aerial and not grounded, like most objects struck by lightning. but even if it does happen to hit an aircraft...
"A lightning strike on an aircraft normally does not damage the airplane, although it may leave a burn mark. The lightning energy travels through the metal skin of the aircraft and sometimes into other areas of the aircraft. In a few cases the energy has damaged electronic equipment in the aircraft, but only a few aircraft have received enough damage to cause a major problem with flying the plane. The skin of the aircraft can usually dissipate the lightning energy sufficiently to prevent problems."

Answer 4

Lightning occurs due to sparking between oppositely charged clouds or between oppositely charged cloud and ground.In the latter case,a high voltage spark rushes towards the ground through moisture-filled air.If any ground based structure is on the path of the spark,the top of the structure is excited to a high electrical potential while its bottom(in contact with the ground)remains at zero voltage.This high potential difference sets a very high current in the structure causing sudden heat generation and thereby causing destruction.
But in the case of flying aeroplanes,there is nothing like a ground point which remains always at zero voltage.Hence even if it is hit by lightning,the plane's entire surface aquires the same voltage and there is no potential difference anywhere .Because of absence of potential difference, there is no current and hence no damage to the plane.However, while landing and take off, there is some possibility.

Answer 5

Yes, there is a conductor to dissipate the electricity from the plane. This also works for electrostatic discharge on plane body. There was an accident where aeroplane explode because of ESD but not yet with lightning.

Answer 6

besides the undeniable fact that passengers and team may even see a flash and pay attention a noisy noise if lightning strikes their plane, no longer something severe could take place as a results of careful lightning protection engineered into the plane and its gentle components. initially, the lightning will connect with an extremity such because of the fact the nostril or wing tip. The plane then flies by the lightning flash, which reattaches itself to the fuselage at different places on a similar time as the plane is interior the electrical powered "circuit" between the cloud areas of opposite polarity. the present will commute by the conductive exterior dermis and platforms of the plane and go out off another extremity, such because of the fact the tail. Pilots from time to time checklist non everlasting flickering of lights furniture or short-lived interference with gadgets. i desire this enables. maximum suitable of excellent fortune!

Answer 7

Lightning regularly strikes airplanes. But, it has not caused an airliner to crash. 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 8

Yes, lightening effects airplanes all the time. Because they consume fuel as they fly they are continually lightening.

Sometimes they also get hit by lightning.

Answer 9

Yes it can, but no.on the wings of air crafts there are sticks that are called Statick Dischage Wicks, the are mabe to break off away from the aircraft when there is an access of static build up on the aircraft. some people have reported seeing balls of on the aircrafts , it is calle st elmo's fire. if the aircraft did noth have the Static dischage wicks , the static would rip the plane apart.

Answer 10

Storm layers occur at lower altitudes. Plane trips for short distances rarely go to higher altitudes and I think the chance of getting affected by lightening is higher.