Can a helicopter survive a lightning strike?

In many cases, helicopters designed to withstand a variety of extreme weather conditions can still land safely after being struck by lightning. Some lightning-related damage to major helicopter components can run into the millions of dollars in replacement and repair costs.

What happens when an aircraft is struck by lightning?

Lightning will usually hit a protruding part of the plane, such as the nose or the tip of the wing. The aircraft then flies through the lightning flash, which travels along the body, having chosen the path of least resistance.

Can a lightning strike take down a plane?

Airplanes are now designed to allow lightning to pass harmlessly through the exterior of the aircraft (i.e. fuselage) without causing damage to the interior components, such as fuel tanks, avionics, flight controls, etc. Fuel lines and fuel tanks are protected to help withstand any potential lightning burns or sparks.

What happens if a train is struck by lightning?

If lightning strikes a train, the steel frame of the train rises in voltage, but the current would flow around the metallic walls of the train car. The operator added that when a train is struck by lightning, the current flows around the outer shell – not through the cabin – and passes through the wheels to the track.

Can lightning strike trains?

Yes. If lightning was to strike a train, the electric current would travel through the train’s structure because of its steel construction which is conductive. Additionally, because the train has steel wheels and travels over steel rails, it is grounded. Traveling on a train during a thunderstorm is completely safe.

Can a cruise ship cause lightning strikes?

Scientists at the Department of Atmospheric Sciences found that ships themselves cause electrical activity in the sky. Heavily-laden ships carrying trade around the world leave behind a trail of storms and lightning.

Can a lightning strike damage a helicopter?

However, less research has been performed on lightning strikes to helicopters. Almost every winter some North Sea helicopters are hit by lightning. Some of these strikes cause major damage to rotor blades and other parts of the helicopters, indicating that the design and certification standards for lightning protection is not good enough.

What happens if lightning hits an airplane?

Lightning will burn a hole in that outer skin at its point of contact and exit. Those holes are easily repaired. Pretty much all aircraft certified to fly in bad weather (ie: NOT para-gliders, ultra-lights, etc) are designed to be reasonably immune from lightning strikes. But lightning could hit at some vulnerable spot and cause damage.

How do helicopters fly in bad weather?

If a helicopter is going to fly in bad weather it will be equipped with radar. With the radar you try to guide yourself between the worst cells where the lighting should be.

How do composite composite skins protect helicopters from lightning?

Composite skins have a conducting metal mesh, like a window screen, embedded just beneath the outer layer of carbon fiber. Lightning will burn a hole in that outer skin at its point of contact and exit. Those holes are easily repaired. However helicopters have a bit more vulnerability to lightning than an airplane.