Planes are hit by lightning, but they are designed to withstand and conduct the electricity safely, preventing damage.
While it might seem alarming, lightning strikes on airplanes are more common than you think. The reason we don't often hear about catastrophic events resulting from these strikes is due to the robust engineering that goes into aircraft design.
How Airplanes Withstand Lightning Strikes
Airplanes employ several key strategies to protect themselves from lightning:
- Faraday Cage Effect: The aircraft's aluminum skin acts much like a Faraday Cage, conducting the electrical current from a lightning strike across the exterior of the plane and then back into the atmosphere, protecting the passengers and sensitive electronics inside. As mentioned in the provided reference, "Most airplanes are well protected, against damage from the lightening strikes and much like a Faraday Cage, the lightening just passes through the airplane and keeps going."
- Conductive Materials: Airplanes are constructed from highly conductive materials like aluminum and carbon fiber composites. These materials allow electricity to flow easily through the aircraft's structure.
- Bonding and Grounding: All components of the airplane are carefully bonded together and grounded to create a continuous electrical path. This minimizes voltage differences and reduces the risk of sparks or arcing inside the aircraft.
- Lightning Diverters: Some aircraft feature lightning diverters – small, pointed devices attached to the wings and tail. These attract lightning strikes, directing the current away from critical areas and safely into the aircraft's skin.
- Protected Electronics: Sensitive electronic equipment is shielded to prevent interference or damage from electromagnetic pulses generated by lightning strikes.
What Happens During a Lightning Strike?
During a lightning strike, the electrical current typically enters the airplane at one point, such as a wingtip or the nose, and exits at another point, often the tail. Passengers inside might experience a brief flash of light and a loud bang, but they are generally safe due to the Faraday cage effect. The aircraft's electrical systems may experience temporary disruptions, but backup systems are in place to ensure continued safe operation.
Post-Strike Inspections
Following a lightning strike, airlines conduct thorough inspections to check for any damage to the aircraft's skin, electrical systems, and other critical components. Even seemingly minor damage is repaired to maintain the aircraft's structural integrity and ensure continued safety.
