why doesnt lighning strike an aircraft?

Answer 1

Lightning does hit aircraft sometimes. It does little damage however because it does not cause a change in electrical difference. Lightning is caused by a difference in electrical potential between earth ans the sky above. If an airplane in in between it may be struck, but the electricity is more likely to flow around the aircraft. Lightning is just the difference in electrical potential looking to dissipate into the ground. An aircraft is not connected to ground and does not provide a path for the electricity, that is why it is most often missed and most often unharmed when it is hit.

Answer 2

There are three main reasons: highly conductive outer shell, surge/shielding/grounding protectors on electronic equipment and jet fuel which produces much less explosive vapor.


The first line of defense is the outer skin of a commercial airliner which is made of aluminum or a composite with interwoven conductive fibers which provides a path for the electric current. When lightning strikes the skin of an airplane, it travels along the outside of the aircraft and discharges back into the air. Passengers on board might not even know the aircraft was struck unless they happen to see the flash or hear the thunder through the roar of the engines. Pilots may notice a short flickering of lights or jumps in their instrumentation, but it should never cause a failure. We can thank NASA for this

Answer 3

As an aircraft mechanic I can say with all honesty, lightning does strike aircraft and it can cause some serious damage. That is why there are alot of delays due to weather. Planes are pretty much flying lightning rods. And while the entrance hole is small, the exit hole of a lightning strike can be massive. Lightning has also been held responsible for electronic damage and structure damage.

Answer 4

Lightning will strike an aircraft if given the chance. Most of the time there is no damage but occasionally it will cause some damage to the aircraft. Usually this will amount to a small burn mark where the charge left the airplane. Sometimes it will knock out instruments but this is rare.

The best way to prevent lightning damage is to avoid thunderstorms by as large a margin as possible.

Answer 5

Okay to answer you question Yes lighting does hit aircrafts. So Now I am sure you have a lot more questions, Like has any crashed? Where does the electricity go? And I am going to recommend a site for you. This site covers EVERYTHING!!
http://www.centennialofflight.gov

Hope this helps

Answer 6

My best friend flies a Lear jet that got hit TWICE on final approach to Boston. It caused all kinds of alarms to go off and a little trouble with some of the electronics, but nothing so major that the moron flew it to Cincinnati (home base) for repairs the very next day.

Answer 7

It does and regardless of the above answers to the contrary it can affect an aircraft big time. Not always but it's blown radomes off the nose and peirce holes in alearons and other things. Probably never brought one down and usually doesnt hurt anything but it can.

Answer 8

It does. Governor Edgar of Illinois had his plane damaged by a lightning strike several years ago.

Answer 9

I does because if you fly in a lightning storm there's a 10 out of 100 chance that it will get hit ,but it will cause some serious problems.

Answer 10

It does and can cause alot of hidden damage. For airplanes who carry people for hire it is mandatory to remove the engine/engines and have them disassembled and inspected internally for burns and for magnetism.
people can say that it is no big deal because it doesn't appear to be but for a twin engine piston to get hit the cost to the insurance company is about 85,000 dollars just for inspections.
And for the people who think lightning is looking for a ground that is just not true. It is looking for a difference in charge. Static is constantly being produced by the friction of the air and is being disapated off the trailing edges by static wicks. Lighting will travel right through the plane and usually blow off one of those static wicks leaving a 2 inch hole.