What happens when lightning strikes an airplane?

Answer 1

Yes, and if a plane is flying in or very near an active cumulonimbus cloud, the chances are fairly high. However, as a precaution planes, generally have some sort of method in allowing it to absorb or channel the electricity somewhere else.

Answer 2

Actually, airplanes are hit by lightning pretty often. According to Lightning Technologies, a company that designs lightning-protection systems for aircraft, every commercial airplane is struck by lightning on an average, once a year. Not only are aircraft struck by lightning, but in fact they cause their own lightning when they fly through heavily charged areas of clouds.

However, these strikes are very rarely disastrous. The last confirmed commercial plane crash in the U.S. directly attributed to lightning occurred in 1967, when lightning caused a catastrophic fuel tank explosion.

Since then, much has been learned about how lightning can affect airplanes. As a result, protection techniques have improved. Today, the airplanes receive a rigorous set of lightning certification tests regularly, to ensure every crucial piece of flying and landing equipment is protected against lightning.

Every commercial airplane is outfitted with protective equipment. Their shells of airplanes are generally made of aluminum, which is an excellent conductor of electricity, or a composite containing conductive fibers. Hence, if the plane is struck, the lightning travels along the exterior of the plane then back out into the open air. Sensitive electrical equipment is shielded with surge protectors and grounding devices.

Answer 3

Most of the time, nothing happens when lightening strikes an airplane.

Answer 4

easy, the plane blows the plane up in flames

Answer 5

Rarely but it should not effect the plane