OT Scary Plane Rides

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Was flying through some weather on a commercial flight Denver to St. Louis today when lightining blasted the wing 20 ft from the window I was sitting - well i was in the middle seat - lady next to me wasn't too happy but no burn marks - sounded like the engine exploded - looked sorta like the scene in Star Wars were the Evil Emperor fries Luke with tendrils of lightining.

Question - is this no bigee or do chunks get blown out of planes from time to time - was thinking Lost but with no neato island just children of the corn

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

Question - did chunks get blown out of your ass? Cause they would have come flying out mine.

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

spent my freshman year at the university of north dakota aviation school. they have a weather plane they fly into thunderstorms all the time. They keep track of lightning strikes with lightning bolt stickers on the nose. they had quite a few. it is quite common, though it is more of a risk with composite planes (Boeing's new 787) as there is no aluminum skin to conduct the lightning. in a composite plane, the lightning burns through the skin and hits whatever metal is underneath. if that be electronics they will likely be fried unless special precautions are taken (which usually are)

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

Sounds like a question for Nak.

jdk · Since 21 Dec 2005 333 Posts Obsessed

We got pummeled by hail in a baron going ~200 knots one time. we were miles from the cell (could see it on the storm scope) but the hail got blown out the top or something weird. i thought we were toast, it was a close call

i knew a guy who flew a lear into a cell back in the day. he said he wouldn't do it again

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

I did some stupid shit when I was still flying. Did some zero-G maneuvers over the coastal range in a Cessna. Not a good idea with a gravity feed fuel tanks. the engine nearly died Shocked

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

Sounds like you need an F-22! Very Happy

We're trying to get some in Salem right now!
2 engines - in case one dies! Wink

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1216 Posts Portland BRACKISH

G- you're a weather magnet. Isn't that obvious by now? Now that you know your powers, learn to channel them and bring us wind Razz

.

Nak · Tue Mar 18, 08 9:33 am

The effects of a lightning strike can vary. At worst, a hull loss is possible, although that is rare. (Hull loss = total loss of the aircraft.) Most lightning strikes are really static discharges. Static electricity builds up on an airframe and then discharges violently. It looks like a lightning strike, but the effects are not as severe... Modern aircraft are designed to minimize the effects of either occurrence, but it's still a bad thing.

USAF WC-130 "Hurricane Hunters" will fly into a hurricane using a spiral flight path, trying to avoid any penetration of a thunderstorm cell. Occasionally, they do enter one, but these are enormously powerful aircraft specially modified for this mission.

Lightning is only one of the risks involved with penetrating a CB (thunderstorm). Thunderstorms can and do kill airplanes. Airline pilots will do whatever it takes to deviate around a CB. A rule of thumb is 1 mile away for every knot of wind downwind of the storm. Lines of thunderstorms can be penetrated through breaks in the cells. You can "pick your way through" using radar. This can be very tricky in the Midwestern United States because CBs there tend to build much faster than in other parts of the world. This penetration may feel like a storm to the passengers, but in reality is nowhere near as bad.

Gman, It's hard to say what exactly happened on your flight, but my guess is that the pilots ventured too close to a CB. Some airlines seem to "push the envelope" a bit as far as getting close to CB cells. My attitude would be "WHAT THE HELL ARE THOSE DUMBFUCKS UP IN THE COCKPIT DOING?!?!?!" You were probably never at a huge risk, but if they were pushing it you should be pissed. Call the airline and demand to be kept apprised of the investigation findings. There will be an investigation. Hit me up if they aren't cooperative.

Sometimes shit just happens. However if this was the result of pilot error, demand a total refund of your ticket plus a free trip of your choosing. Tell the airline that will be a lot cheaper than the lawsuit.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

I thought big commercial jets were designed to take a lightning strike such as that it travels through the plane and continues down to the ground.

Nak · Tue Mar 18, 08 10:45 am

broadbandito · Since 26 Apr 2005 342 Posts CSO headwaters WheatHead

I've been in a plane twice when lightening appeared to strike. It didn't seem to be a big deal, though in both cases fellow passengers assumed the crash position immediately afterward (on their own accord, not based on crew instruction). I would guess it could "leave a scar" on paint outside the metal, but I don't think parts get "blown off" very often.

However, if you're flying on a mission for a cancer charity and you're also concerned about your online reputation, BlowMeAKiss probably has some statistics regarding safety.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Thanks Nak - great post.

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

Nak · Tue Mar 18, 08 5:52 pm

jdk · Since 21 Dec 2005 333 Posts Obsessed

picking your way through with radar is sometimes the only choice with piston engines. with a turbine you can go high and get there fast, so its easier to avoid weather (go around or over). also in the midwest, where i got to ride along on many flights, its often vfr between the cells. you know exactly where the cell is and where it isn't. problem is that you are squeezed between two or more so you can only get so much buffer. i've been through some sketch situations in the mountains too. here again the piston makes it harder. you are in ice, you can't go higher because you are maxed out and/or collecting ice. you can't go lower because there are mountains down there somewhere Wink

Mark · Wed Mar 19, 08 2:38 pm

Could have been worse