You are aboard an airplane flying in the midst of a thunderstorm. Any moment the plane might be hit by lighting. Are you in any danger?

Siskin

No you are not - probably safer in an aircraft than on the ground, because even though planes are 'hit' all the time the passengers are insulated - the lightning discharges around the aircraft and into the atmosphere. Aircraft are also fitted with dischargers called 'static wicks' Dec 04 02, 5:15 PM

sequoianoir

The principle is called the Faraday Cage. Why it is very safe to be in a car in a thunder/lightning storm http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/scienceshack/articles/bigbuilds/buildupdates/u_lightning04.shtml Dec 04 02, 5:55 PM

Barrow boy

On 9 May 1976 an Iranian Air Force Boeing 747 exploded and crashed during a thunderstorm over Cuenca, Spain. Subsequent air accident investigation showed that a lightning strike on the fuselage exited through the static discharger on the left wingtip. In this particular case, the lightning followed the aircraft until after several seconds the discharger and surrounding wing began to melt and boil. In close vicinity was a motor-driven fuel valve whose connecting shaft probably allowed an electric current to enter the fuel tank. 17 US and Iranian servicemen were killed. So don't get too complacent! Source: Military Aviation Disasters by David Gero. Dec 04 02, 6:44 PM

Meteora2345

I have no idea. Probably not. Jan 12 04, 1:02 PM

sequoianoir

Since this question seems to have reappeared from the depths of time I'll just add: A few years ago, whilst flying to Switzerland via Amsterdam, the plane I was in was struck by lightning in a very violent storm as we came in to land at Schiphol airport. The flash through the window was blinding and the bang exceptionally loud. I'd been watching the storm for quite a while and was enjoying the spectacle. Quite a few on board screamed including the man sitting next to me who happened to be an Dutch aircraft engineer who worked for Fokker. Apparently he wasn't too keen on flying himself. I must admit it did make me jump but I wasn't scared and never felt in any danger at any time. There was a cross wind that was so strong that with just a few feet to go to the runway the plane was coming in almost sideways. From my window I could clearly see the runway lights stretching out ahead almost inline with the wing to my right. There was spontaneous applause as we straightened up and touched down. Jan 12 04, 2:06 PM

Create a Free FunTrivia ID to add to, request more/new answers, or edit this entry

Is there any one word for those eye-patches that you might be given if you were travelling first-class in an airplane? (Those that cover both eyes, not the type that pirates are often portrayed wearing.) Who originally recorded the song "Only You" which was a hit for "The Flying Pickets"? What is the title of a 40's or 50's movie that has at least one scene in an airplane, with the captain demonstrating the 'Mae West' life vest, female passengers who change assigned seating, and the suggestion of impending danger? Is the Earth in any danger of falling into the sun?

1 Do You Have Any Bills? If you know any famous Bill's in Major League baseball, then this quiz is for you! I hope that you have fun with it. :-) MLB Players Mixed Average 10 Q Nightmare Jul 29 04 786 plays 2 Any Which Way You Can Clyde the orangutan and Clint are back in this sequel to "Every Which Way But Loose". Al - Az Movies Difficult 10 Q shanteyman Feb 17 08 390 plays 3 Can you take any more Scarpetta? I have read these books so many times I just keep coming up with more trivia. Enjoy! Warning: May contain spoilers! Cornwell, Patricia Difficult 10 Q venusinfurs01 May 23 03 1164 plays