Can Planes Fly in Thunderstorms?
Thunderstorms are an integral geographical phenomenon that may cause flight disruptions. In spite of this, it is generally safe for planes to fly in Thunderstorms. With the technological advancements of aircraft and Air Traffic Control the airplanes can seamlessly fly during thunderstorms. The airplanes usually don’t fly into the storms. They either fly above or around the thunderstorms, ensuring the safety of the passengers.
A detailed analysis of the thunderstorms and the ways airlines deal with them is given below to have more clarity on whether airplanes can fly safely in such weather conditions or not.
What happens when the Plane encounters the Thunderstorms?
Thunderstorms can be considered one of the most hazardous atmospheric events. The most common elements endured by the aircraft are as follows:
- Extreme Turbulence
- Strong Winds
- Reduced Visibility due to intense precipitation
- Hazardous downdrafts
- Microbursts, which can hinder the safe landing of an aircraft
However, not all thunderstorms are equally dangerous. The intensity of a thunderstorm depends on its speed and height. So, the in-flight experience of the passengers is different, considering the type of thunderstorm they encounter. Some of the significant types of thunderstorms and their effects on the aircraft, as well as the passengers, are listed below:
- Single Cell Thunderstorms:- These thunderstorms are relatively weaker and occur for a shorter period during the summer season. They don’t cause ferocious winds, hail, or intense lightning, which makes it quite convenient for the pilots to fly around these thunderstorms. Passengers can encounter only mild turbulence during these thunderstorms.
- Weak Multi-Cell Clusters:- Multi-Cell Clusters are a category of thunderstorms that are formed by a cluster of individual thunderstorm cells. They usually cause downpours and moderate turbulence, but pilots can navigate to safer regions through this thunderstorm quite easily.
- Supercell Thunderstorms:- This is the most precarious type of thunderstorm. It can cause heavy downpour, intense lightning, wind shear, updrafts, and downdrafts. Usually, airlines either delay or cancel flights if a supercell thunderstorm is expected. But the passengers stuck in the supercell thunderstorms can experience gut-wrenching turbulence, bumpy rides, loud noises due to lightning, and temporary disruptions in the aircraft.
These are the common experiences faced by individuals stuck in the thunderstorms.
How are Planes built to fly in Thunderstorms?
There are several cutting-edge features present in the modern-day aircraft that protect the aircraft and the members sitting in it. These tools primarily include the following:
- Weather Radars:- This allows the pilots to have a precise summary of the weather conditions prevailing in the region they’re flying. Pilots often use this to avoid thunderstorms. Radomes are also present in the aircraft to protect the radar antennas.
- Conductive Materials:- The aircraft is made up of conductive material, which helps in lightning strike protection during thunderstorms. These conductive materials are Aluminum alloys, Copper alloys, Titanium alloys, and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs).
- Metallic Shielding:- The airplanes act as a Faraday Cage as their metallic body shields the interior of the aircraft from the external electromagnetic field. This helps in lightning strike protection as well.
- Wings:- The wings of an aircraft are designed uniquely. They exhibit flexibility and move in the direction of the wind during the thunderstorms. This minimizes the turbulence for the passengers and ensures the smooth movement of the airplane during the strong winds.
- Water Adaptability:- The airplanes go through numerous water adaptability tests before being operated. These tests prove that the airplanes can withstand heavy downpours, which are often caused by thunderstorms.
These elements enhance the safety of the planes and protect them from harsh weather conditions.
Pilot Training for Flying Safely Through Thunderstorms
Pilots are rigorously trained in flying schools and aviation universities to deal with adverse weather conditions such as thunderstorms. The comprehensive training equips them with in-depth knowledge about coping with the strong winds to keep everyone safe. The concepts taught to the pilots generally comprise the following:-
- Skilled in using weather radars and other meteorological devices
- Real-Time Monitoring
- Efficient Communication with Air Traffic Control
- Theoretical Knowledge about Thunderstorms’ formation and ways to avoid them
- Turbulence Training
- Skilled in handling lightning strikes
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advises pilots to avoid the thunderstorms by at least 20 nautical miles.
By adopting these skills and emergency protocols, the pilots can safely transcend the fury of the thunderstorms and keep all the passengers safe.
Role of Air Traffic Control in Regulating Thunderstorms
The Air Traffic Control plays a crucial role in regulating a hassle-free operation during thunderstorms. The primary functions played by ATC are given here:
- Real-Time Monitoring
- Gives Weather Forecast Updates
- Strict Warning and Commands
- Timely Communications with the Pilots, especially during times of emergencies
- Establishes weather-related Protocols
- Establishes safety protocols
- Maintains distance between the aircraft during Thunderstorms to avoid any significant crashes and accidents
ATC puts in their best efforts to guide the aircraft in the right direction and keep them either away from or safe from the storm.
How does a Plane Take Off or Land during Thunderstorms?
Airlines and Air Traffic Control prioritise the safety of the crew members and passengers. The ATC and pilots avoid taking off during the adverse thunderstorms, such as Supercell Thunderstorms. Whereas, during the Single Cell Thunderstorms and Weak Multi-Cell Clusters, pilots generally take off considering the wind speed and height of the thunderstorms.
The most suitable conditions for pilots to take off are mentioned here:
- The severity of the storm is pre-analysed
- Aircraft should maintain a 20 nautical mile distance from the thunderstorms
- Altitude Changes
- End Moment Route Adjustments are also made to avoid the thunderstorms
- Lightning Protection is also ensured during the takeoff
Apart from takeoff, landing issues are also significant during Thunderstorms. Some of the precautions taken by the pilots while landing during the severe thunderstorms are:
- Rerouting is the primary step adopted by the pilots to avoid safety risks while landing during thunderstorms.
- Bypassing the storms
- Weather Radars are actively used
- Pilots also hold the aircraft if the thunderstorm is directly above the airport.
- Altitude Adjustments
- Autopilot Assistance
- Communicating extensively with Air Traffic Control
- Passenger Briefing
- Landing at alternate airports
These are some of the significant steps taken by the pilots while landing during the thunderstorms.
Significant Aviation Incidents Caused by Thunderstorms
This is the list of prominent incidents that were caused because of Thunderstorms.
- 1956 Grand Canyon mid-air Collision: This collision happened between Trans World Airlines Flight 2 and United Airlines Flight 718. The contributing cause behind this crash was a thunderstorm that occurred in the Grand Canyon.
- Air Inter Flight 2611: The crash took place at Lyon, France, on 12th August 1963 when the plane met with severe weather conditions, including a thunderstorm.
- American Airlines Flight 1420: On June 1, 1999, the flight crashed while landing at Little Rock National Airport. The crash was a result of an intense thunderstorm.
- Emirates Flight EK521: On 3rd August, 2016, the Emirates Flight crashed while landing due to windshear, which occurred because of a thunderstorm.
- Flydubai Flight 981: This flight crashed on 19th March, 2016, when it encountered a thunderstorm during a go-around.
These unfortunate and devastating incidents were caused because of thunderstorms. However, there has been a major decline in such crashes since 2016. The aviation industry has adopted various safety measures and even added aircraft in its fleet that are lightning-resistant and can cope with the harsh environment.
Conclusion
This blog encapsulates an in-depth analysis of the safety concerns involved with aircraft flying during Thunderstorms. After scrutinising all the details, it can be said that it is generally safe for modern airplanes to fly in thunderstorms. Although flights are usually delayed or cancelled during hazardous Supercell Thunderstorms for passenger safety. A detailed overview of all the factors involved in making decisions during thunderstorms is explained in this blog.
To have more insights about other weather disruptions that can delay or cancel flights, you can also read How Many Inches of Snow will Cancel a Flight?
FAQs
Yes, planes can fly in Thunderstorms and Lightning.
It is safe to fly in less dangerous thunderstorms, such as Single-Cell Thunderstorms and Weak Multi-Cell Clusters. But, it can be quite risky for planes to fly in Supercell Thunderstorms.
Modern aircraft are designed with the latest technology to withstand the harsh climatic conditions caused by Thunderstorms.
The Federal Aviation Administration advises pilots to stay 20 nautical miles away from thunderstorms.
Passengers should remain calm and trust their pilots. As the pilots are well-trained to handle such situations. Flyers should also carefully follow the instructions of the flight attendants and fasten their loose items and safety belts as a precautionary action.