Hey flyboys - check these pics

[calmloki]

Figure it's because pilots are so rational and grounded. Whew!

PlaneBuzz: Atlantic Southeast Airlines Lightning Strike: This Would Get Anyone's Attention

[TromboneAl]

This might be a hoax.

NTSB Identification: DCA09FA033
Scheduled 14 CFR Part 121: Air Carrier operation of ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST AIRLINES INC
Accident occurred Sunday, March 01, 2009 in Tallahassee, FL
Aircraft: BOMBARDIER CRJ, registration: N830AS
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

ASA Airlines flight 5533, a Bombardier CRJ-200, experienced a cockpit fire on the ground shortly after external power was applied to the airplane in preparation for flight. The captain and one flight attendant evacuated the airplane via an airstair without injuries. They were the only individuals on the airplane at the time. The fire department extinguished the fire after it had burned an approximate 18 inch hole through the left upper cockpit crown skin. The flight, intended to be conducted as Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 121 scheduled service, was to be flown from Tallahassee Regional Airport (TLH), Tallahassee, Florida, to Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, Georgia.

source

[RustyShackleford]

Wow, excellent hoax-debunksmanship Trombone-guy.

[calmloki]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TromboneAl This might be a hoax. NTSB Identification: DCA09FA033 Scheduled 14 CFR Part 121: Air Carrier operation of ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST AIRLINES INC Accident occurred Sunday, March 01, 2009 in Tallahassee, FL Aircraft: BOMBARDIER CRJ, registration: N830AS Injuries: 2 Uninjured. This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. ASA Airlines flight 5533, a Bombardier CRJ-200, experienced a cockpit fire on the ground shortly after external power was applied to the airplane in preparation for flight. The captain and one flight attendant evacuated the airplane via an airstair without injuries. They were the only individuals on the airplane at the time. The fire department extinguished the fire after it had burned an approximate 18 inch hole through the left upper cockpit crown skin. The flight, intended to be conducted as Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 121 scheduled service, was to be flown from Tallahassee Regional Airport (TLH), Tallahassee, Florida, to Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, Georgia. source

Man. I'm getting suckered in right & left. So the real story is that pilots should avoid hot sex in the cockpit? Or maybe that this is why smoking is no longer allowed in commercial planes?

[REWahoo]

"It is estimated that on average, each airplane in the U.S. commercial fleet is struck lightly by lightning more than once each year."

"Although passengers and crew may see a flash and hear a loud noise if lightning strikes their plane, nothing serious should happen because of the careful lightning protection engineered into the aircraft and its sensitive components."

What happens when lightning strikes an airplane?: Scientific American

[ls99]

An airplane, as is a car, a good Faraday cage. Lightning travels on the surface of the cage, does not penetrate it.

YouTube - Faraday Cage

[samclem]

Lightning isn't a significant problem for >>most<< planes, because now most planes have metal skins. Lighting hits the skin, is conducted through the skin and structure to another point where it resumes its flight to the ground (or the cloud, I've forgotten which way we've decided the lightning actually travels). There can be some localized heating, but usually it isn't a problem for the flight. Since all the equipment is well grounded and shielded, little stray voltage enters the sensitive stuff.

Things are very different for a non-metal skinned aircraft (e.g. a tube-and-fabric light aircraft, or a fiberglass amateur-built aircraft or sailplane). Pilots of these aircraft must avoid lightning-prone areas because a lightning strike will often burn a hole right through the skin (igniting the fuel or setting fire to other structural elements). It's much more serious.