When Lightning Strikes

Outside, rain pours relentlessly, and dark clouds loom overhead. A commercial jet ascends through the storm when suddenly—lightning strikes. A flash of light, a loud crack—and then, silence. The aircraft keeps flying smoothly, seemingly unaffected.

This surprising calm is due to how modern planes are designed. Today, lightning strikes are not disasters—they’re expected and manageable events in aviation.

Lightning is extremely common, with over 25 million strikes occurring worldwide each year. Most commercial planes are hit at least once annually, yet such events rarely cause any danger to passengers or flight operations.

When lightning hits an aircraft, it usually enters at one point—like the nose or wing—and exits through another, such as the tail. The current flows along the plane’s exterior, which is built to handle such electric discharge safely.

Passengers may not even notice it happened, or might only hear a distant sound, while remaining perfectly safe inside the cabin.

Aircraft like the Airbus A320 and A350 are designed with lightning in mind. Their fuselages use materials like aluminum and metal-infused composites that act like a Faraday cage, directing electricity away from the interior.

Sensitive components—like navigation, communication, and flight controls—are well-shielded. Grounding systems are built into the aircraft, and fuel tanks are constructed to prevent ignition, even in severe weather.

Thanks to advanced engineering, what once was a terrifying hazard is now just another part of flying safely through the skies.