Lightning strike
 

My flight a few weeks ago was struck by lightning as we were descending to land at SFO. Does anyone know how frequently this happens or if it is dangerous to the aircraft? Just curious, thanks.

Generally nothing fazes me when I fly, but being struck by lightning came close. I was sitting near the window when I simultaneously saw a flash of light out the window and heard an explosion. My immediate reaction was to try to determine if the plane was still cruising normally. Fortunately, the pilot immediately came on the PA to announce that "you now know what it feels like when an airplane is hit by lightning." He assured us that it is not at all dangerous and that the plane was operating normally.

Interesting... my experience was very similar... a bright flash and 2 or 3 loud bangs. I thought an engine might have exploded (or something more serious), but after a few seconds realized the plane was still flying normally. And I agree, this was one of the few experiences that really had me worried. After we landed, they had a team of UAL people inspecting the outside of the plane and underneath the nose cone. But good to know it's not serious while flying.

Lighting at SFO? Really?

j/k.. I grew up in Marin county and miss lightning from my really early days in NYC. We get a little down here in SD though.

I thought planes were forbidden to land during lightning storms? Maybe it's taking off... I was in PHX flyin to SFO and planes that were supposed to make the run couldn't leave cities like STL and MCI due to lightning storms.

[This message has been edited by civicmon (edited Mar 01, 2004).]

I may be wrong, but I believe that the principal risk of lightning storms is not to the aircraft, but rather to the ground crew running around a wide open tarmac. That, I believe, is the reason you'll see takeoffs suspended during the lightning storm. Landings can continue as normal, but passengers may have to wait for the storm to abate before their luggage is unloaded.

Lightning is nothing to worry about. Aircraft designers know planes spend their lives in clouds and design them to handle it. Those little rods that stick out at the wingtips are lightning discharge conductors. Probably hundreds of FT'ers have been struck (including me. Most impressed, the lights inside never even flickered). The engineers check the aircraft afterwards to see if there are any burn marks.

The ground issue is really one of not allowing refuelling while lightning is about. After a short while that obviously messes up the whole arrival and departure sequence.

This is correct, I believe the rule is that if lightning is observed within 3 miles of an airport, ramp operations stop and the rampers must seek shelter...

Also, a little unrelated but still interesting...the moon mission Apollo 12 was struck by lightning about 78 seconds after liftoff and went all the way to the moon and back safely...

N674UW

I know, ironically, it was at SFO. We very rarely get lightning storms in SF, and I have been on many flights to Miami and other tropical areas without ever being struck before. And yes, the ground crew is not allowed out during thunderstorms. I have been on flights before that had to sit on the tarmac for a long time because the crew could not come out to guide the plane to the gate.

I remember when I was a wee kid coming back from LAX-LHR about an hour into the flight and going up to the cockpit of what must have been a very nearly new 747-400 and looking out of the window at an electrical storm all around us and cross referencing it with the weather radar screen thing. Was up on the flight deck for about 30mins http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

That was back in the day when I used to draw pictures for the pilot and ask if I could come and look at the cockpit http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/redface.gif

[This message has been edited by fbgdavidson (edited Mar 01, 2004).]

Lightening strikes aren't all that common, I've had only one in 23 years of flying. They can potentially cause problems but usually don't. When an airplane has had a strike it requires an inspection for damage which can end up delaying the next flight.

The static wicks mentioned above dissipate the normal static charges that build up in flight. If those charges are allowed to build up it can affect radio reception. They aren't specifically for lightning.

Has anyone experienced a storm when a ball of lightening runs down the cabin? I've read about this and am intrigued...