What happens if lightning hits a plane?

Lightning looks frightening, but airliners are designed with the chance of meeting it in mind.

Design

The aircraft's outer skin is built so electricity flows along the surface without entering the cabin. Lightning usually enters at a point like the nose or a wingtip, travels along the outside of the fuselage, and leaves from another point such as the tail. Aircraft made of composite materials have fine metal mesh built into the surface for this.

Testing

New aircraft types, including fuel systems and electronics, are tested in the lab against lightning effects before certification.

What it feels like in the cabin

Most passengers don't even notice. Sometimes there's a bright flash and a loud bang. Pilots log it and the flight continues normally.

Afterwards

After landing, technicians check the points where the lightning entered and left; small repairs are made if needed. It's a standard step in maintenance programmes.

Knowing ahead

Pilots try to stay away from storm clouds, so lightning is mostly met at the edges of clouds, during climb and descent.