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IGThunderstorm timelapse from a plane 👀🤯
How Safe Is an Airplane During a Thunderstorm?
Flying in a thunderstorm may sound dangerous, but in reality, modern airplanes are extremely safe even in such conditions. Commercial aircraft are specifically designed to handle severe weather, including lightning, strong winds, and heavy rain.
One common concern is lightning. Airplanes are actually struck by lightning relatively often—on average about once per year per aircraft. However, this is not considered dangerous. The aircraft’s outer shell acts like a protective layer, allowing the electrical current to travel along the outside without entering the cabin. As a result, passengers and crew remain safe.
In fact, there has not been a commercial airplane crash caused by lightning in many decades. When lightning does hit a plane, it usually causes little or no damage, and the aircraft can continue flying normally.
Pilots are also highly trained to deal with thunderstorms. They usually try to avoid flying directly through strong storm cells—not because the plane would crash, but because of turbulence, hail, or strong air currents that could make the flight uncomfortable.
Additionally, modern airplanes are equipped with advanced weather radar systems. These systems help pilots detect storms early and choose a safer route around them.
Shot by @tristang727
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