Book 23, Question 71
What Happens When Lightning Strikes an Airplane?
Lightning can strike an airplane. That sounds scary! But planes are built for it. Planes have little wicks on their wings to let static electricity slip away.
More fun facts
- On average, every airliner is struck by lightning at least once a year.
- Planes often trigger lightning themselves when flying through a strongly charged part of a cloud.
- Lightning usually hits the nose, wingtips, engine covers or the tip of the tail.
- The current travels through the plane's outer skin and leaves from another point, such as the tail.
- Thin metal strips on the nose cone act like little lightning rods to protect the radar inside.
- Planes made mostly of carbon fiber need extra metal added for lightning protection.
Sources: Smithsonian Magazine, Scientific American
Questions kids ask
What do passengers notice when lightning hits?
They may see a flash and hear a loud noise, but nothing serious should happen.