Did You Know Airplanes Are Struck by Lightning More Often Than You Think?
For many passengers, a lightning strike sounds like one of the most frightening situations imaginable. Yet, surprisingly, it’s a routine event in commercial aviation.
On average, every commercial airliner is struck by lightning about once every one to two years, depending on how frequently it flies. In some cases, an aircraft can even trigger lightning itself while passing through highly charged storm clouds.
So why isn’t it dangerous?
Modern aircraft are designed to act like a Faraday cage. When lightning strikes, the electrical current travels along the aircraft’s outer skin before safely exiting through another point, usually near the tail or wingtip. The passengers and critical onboard systems remain protected, allowing the aircraft to continue flying safely.
That doesn’t mean airlines ignore lightning strikes. After landing, engineers carry out a thorough inspection to check for any signs of damage, such as small burn marks or minor effects on external components. While these inspections can occasionally delay an aircraft’s next flight, significant damage is rare because modern airliners are specifically designed and certified to withstand lightning strikes.
Pilots also avoid thunderstorms whenever possible—but not because of the lightning itself. Thunderstorms are more likely to produce severe turbulence, hail, heavy rainfall and strong wind shear, all of which pose a greater operational risk than lightning alone.
So, the next time you see a flash outside your window, there’s no need to panic. Although it may look dramatic, a lightning strike is simply another event modern commercial aircraft are engineered to handle—making what seems extraordinary just another part of everyday aviation.
Sources
NOAA National Weather Service – Lightning and Planes
Scientific American – What Happens When Lightning Strikes an Airplane?https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-happens-when-lightni/
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