Airplanes remain safe during lightning strikes. The main reason for this is Faraday Cage Principle. Actually, the outer shell of the aircraft is made of aluminum or conductive composite material. When lightning strikes, this shell allows the electric current generated to flow on the outer surface instead of going inside. Lightning usually enters from one point, passing over the torso, and exits from another point, usually near the tail.
Modern aircraft are equipped with modern lightning protection systems. These include static wicks located on the wings and tail. These help dissipate the deadly electrical charges that build up during flight and also reduce the chances of being struck by lightning.
Although planes can encounter lightning, pilots are trained to avoid bad weather whenever possible. Using onboard weather radar, they identify rain cells within thunderstorms and plot their path to fly around or over them.
Passengers may not realize it, but commercial airplanes are struck by lightning on average once or twice a year. This is so common that aircraft engineers specifically train the aircraft to be lightning resistant during certification. The last known fatal accident caused by lightning occurred in 1967. In this incident, fuel vapor in the Boeing 707 caught fire due to lightning.
If lightning strikes an aircraft mid-flight, passengers may only see a bright light or hear a loud bang. Some passengers may also feel slight vibration. However, there is nothing dangerous inside the cabin and all the electronic systems also work normally.
A lightning strike can cause minor external damage such as burns on the aircraft’s fuselage, antennae or wing tips. But this does not affect the structure of the aircraft. Engineers keep inspecting the affected panels or lights and replace them if necessary.
Published at : 13 Nov 2025 10:18 AM (IST)
