Is lightning dangerous for airplanes?
According to Skyscanner, the biggest fear of passengers when flying is encountering lightning during a storm. Many people fear that the plane will shatter when struck by lightning. However, in reality, an average airplane in the US is struck by lightning once during its operational life. Lightning cannot bring down a modern airplane.
The tail and wingtips of an airplane are the most likely spots to be struck by lightning when the plane is in the air. Therefore, they are reinforced and equipped to evenly distribute the electric charge from the lightning. As a result, the airplane can still fly during a storm after being struck by lightning.
The most dangerous aspect of flying during a storm
According to Skyscanner, the most dangerous part of flying during a storm is attempting to take off or land.
Heavy rain can reduce the pilot's visibility, making takeoff or landing dangerous. Additionally, heavy rain can also cause the airplane's engines to fail. If rain causes the runway to ice over, takeoff or landing becomes impossible.
Similar dangers occur when taking off and landing in snow or bad weather, but they are less severe. Storms can delay the takeoff or landing process but cause less turbulence when flying at a stable altitude or make it difficult for the plane to ascend or descend.
Are passengers safe when flying during a storm?
Tornadoes, tropical cyclones, tropical storms, and severe tropical depressions can disrupt the safe flying patterns used for normal weather. Investigators believe that storms were one of the factors causing the crashes of Air France Flight 447 and AirAsia Flight 8501. Both crashed in severe weather in the intertropical convergence zone near the equator.
However, today, hundreds of flights still safely travel through these areas. Therefore, it is believed that airplanes can fly safely during storms, even if they are tropical storms or tornadoes.
Despite rain, strong winds, storms, or lightning strikes, airplanes will not crash. When the weather is dangerously bad, pilots and airport authorities will choose not to depart. Therefore, passengers can completely relax and enjoy their flight even when encountering stormy weather.
