How dangerous is it to fly in a thunderstorm?

Yes, they can be dangerous to commercial aircraft as they can contain hail, heavy rain, lightning, ice, severe winds and super cooled water droplets, all of which may cause damage to the aircraft in extreme conditions. Pilots therefore do their very best to avoid flying through thunderstorms wherever possible.

Can a helicopter fly in freezing rain?

The biggest danger to winter weather flying for helicopter air ambulances is freezing precipitation or icing. When ice forms on rotor blades or airplane wings, they lose their ability to provide lift, and the aircraft can no longer maintain flight.

What are the chances of a helicopter crashing?

Understanding a Helicopter Accident The crash rate for general aircraft is 7.28 crashes per 100,000 hours of flight time. For helicopters, that number is 9.84 per 100,000 hours. That means helicopters have a 35 percent higher risk of crashing compared to airplanes.

Why do so many helicopter pilots crash in thunderstorms?

Many pilots and/or helicopters are not equipped to fly in instrument conditions which exist in the vicinity of a thunderstorm, resulting in a crash due to pilot disorientation. I have been on the receiving end of a thunderstorm twice in my flying career.

What happens if a helicopter is hit by lightning?

Lightning can weld flight controls or destroy a rotor blade, The turbulence is very disorienting and can exceed the structural limit of the helicopter. Many pilots and/or helicopters are not equipped to fly in instrument conditions which exist in the vicinity of a thunderstorm, resulting in a crash due to pilot disorientation.

What are the dangers of flying a helicopter?

Helicopters are generally not equipped to deal with the icing aspect. They fly at lower altitudes, so are vulnerable to downdraughts and debris kicked up. Lightning can weld flight controls or destroy a rotor blade, The turbulence is very disorienting and can exceed the structural limit of the helicopter.

Is it safe to fly in high winds?

The good news is that flying in extreme winds is generally safe, even if it does cause you to spill your cocktail or mean you can’t use the restroom for a while. During take-off and landing, winds are really only a factor when they’re crosswinds.