Which part of a commercial aircraft does lightning strike most often?
Which part of a commercial aircraft does lightning strike most often? The highest probability for lightning attachment to an airplane is the outer extremities, such as the wing tip, nose, or rudder. Lightning strikes occur most often during the climb and descent phases of flight at an altitude of 5,000 to 15,000 feet (1,524 to 4,572 meters).
Where is the safest place to be during a lightning storm?
The safest location during a thunderstorm is inside a large enclosed structure with plumbing and electrical wiring. These include shopping centers, schools, office buildings, and private residences.
Can lightning bring down a plane?
In fact, the National Weather Service says passenger planes are struck by lightning an average of once or twice every year. But the last confirmed commercial airplane crash in the United States attributed to lightning occurred in 1967.