Yes, planes can crash in thunderstorms.
Thunderstorms pose significant hazards to aircraft due to several factors, including severe turbulence, strong updrafts and downdrafts, lightning, hail, and reduced visibility. While modern aircraft are designed to withstand considerable stress, the extreme forces within a thunderstorm can exceed even those limits.
Risks Associated with Thunderstorms for Aircraft
- Turbulence: Thunderstorms generate intense turbulence, which can cause significant stress on an aircraft's structure. According to the reference, "Turbulence can exceed an aircraft's structural limits, leading to potential catastrophic failure." Even large commercial aircraft avoid flying into thunderstorms because of this risk.
- Updrafts and Downdrafts: Rapid changes in wind direction and speed, both vertically (updrafts and downdrafts) and horizontally, can cause sudden altitude changes and loss of control.
- Hail: Hail can damage aircraft surfaces, including windshields, wings, and engines.
- Lightning: While aircraft are designed to withstand lightning strikes, a strike can still damage sensitive electronic equipment or cause other problems.
- Reduced Visibility: Heavy rain and cloud cover within a thunderstorm can severely limit visibility, making it difficult for pilots to navigate.
Why Pilots Avoid Thunderstorms
Pilots are trained to avoid thunderstorms whenever possible. Modern radar technology helps pilots identify and navigate around these dangerous weather systems. However, sometimes unexpected encounters occur. If an aircraft encounters a thunderstorm, the pilot's priority is to maintain control of the aircraft and avoid severe turbulence.
