What would happen if a passenger plane was struck by lightning?

Question

Up near Dulles Airport, VA 2 planes were struck by lightning.

I saw it on the news.

I wonder, what would happen then?

Would the plane catch fire?

passengers electrocuted?

Answer 1

I don't think the plane would really do anything.  I think their built to withstand something like that.  I would at least hope they would be able to.

Answer 2

As other folks have posted, usually nothing of any significance occurs, but very infrequently the outcome can be different:

http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_lls/...

Answer 3

Usually nothing happens.  I have been hit several times while flying and it's a bit scary and the instruments go crazy for a moment, but usually there is no lasting effect, probably because an airplane is not grounded.

My boat got hit, however, and it blew out pieces of hull around the waterline... looked just like you had walked aroung the boat shooting it with a shotgun.

Answer 4

They have some resistance.

But a strong bolt could terminate it.

Answer 5

Depends on where it is struck. If stuck at the fuel tank, the plance could explode and disintegrate.

Answer 6

Since most of the aircraft's inside is insulated it would be less likely for electricity to pass through a passenger.

Another fact that makes it unlikely is that the Aircraft is packed with Neutral charges and would not attrack the high voltage of lightning which is in search of Positve charges.

When the aircraft flies through a Thunder Storm it will catch watch is called St. Elmo's fire. It will not hurt you but it can damage alot of Avionics onboard the airplane. The aircaft has Static Wicks (electric dispensors) placed along the wings and Stabilizers, which allows charged particles to be released back into the atmosphere. Therefore, the aircraft will be a Neutron hunk of metal. On the ground it has a better chance of lightening strikes as the ground will help displace the particles making it a target. In the Air its less likely, but still possible.

Also during flight Pilots are warned to stay at least 20 miles away form a storm.

Answer 7

That would be shocking!  : )

Answer 8

Not much really, a few burn holes at entry and exit.  Depending on where it hit some damage to avionics (popped circuit breakers).

It is very loud though.

Answer 9

The plane is not touching the ground metal to metal. You floating in air. The surge will happen as the lightning uses the plane to get from the ground to the air.

Answer 10

Don't know and never ever want to really find out.  It really drums up some wicked images in the imagination.  Scarey thought.

Answer 11

nothing, hundreds of planes get struck by lightning, the plane is isolated, so it is perfectly fine after the hit.

Answer 12

When the air craft is in the sky it is a not a ground source. The lighting pretty much passes around the skin of the air craft. Been a passenger when it has happened and it's pretty neat when you know what happened. Scares the h**l out of you if you don't. Most times the pilots will turn the plan around and land to check the plan over and make sure everything is still functional. But 99% of the time the planes are unharmed.

Answer 13

Lightning strikes are frequent although many go un-noticed due to the installation of a simple device called a satic wick. This device was invented back in the Bi-plane days to dispense static electrical charges built up from flying through clouds of dust and moisture. It is no different than you walking on a carpet and reaching out for that door k**b. Your hand acts as a static discharge point. These devices are located on the trailing edges of wings or changes in the profile and allow the electricity to trail off into space. This is a continuous process so not to allow the charge to grow to such an extent that it will jump to a discharge point such as another cloud with damaging effect to the airframe. All questions lead to others such as what is Saint Elmo's Fire.

Answer 14

Lightning strikes in flight are frequent, even on pretty days, and usually go unnoticed.  No harm is done, for reasons that relate to the physical science of electricity.  Ask your science teacher.

And never believe anything from the news about airplanes and aviation.  News reporters are paid to be confused and ignorant about certain subjects, and aviation is one of them.