Utibe Inyang
Did you know that Aircraft can get struck or damaged by lightning?
While lightning strikes on aircraft are rare but there are few incidents that have resulted in minor surface damage on the aircraft’s exterior and some causing significant damage.
One of the few incidents happened in 1963 when a Pan American Airlines Boeing 707 was struck by lightning while flying over Maryland. The lightning caused the fuel tank to explode, leading to the destruction of the aircraft, and all aboard (81+7) were killed.
Research has shown that about 90% of lightning strikes on airplanes are triggered by the aircraft itself even when there are no thunderstorms in the area.
Therefore, by understanding the conditions that can trigger aircraft-initiated lightning, FAA recommended that: pilots should avoid thunderstorms, avoid flying in clouds or areas of precipitation, and steer clear of unstable weather conditions.
REFERENCES:
- bravo6flightacademy.com
- faa.gov
