Why Lightning Can't Bring Down a Modern Jet

Chapters

1. 00:00Struck by Lightning? No Problem.
2. 00:18Lightning induced ignition of the fuel/air mixtu
3. 00:39The Storm
4. 00:53Lightning induced ignition...
5. 01:07The Spark, Not the Bolt
6. 01:23The left wing exploded
7. 01:36Lightning induced ignition of the fuel/air mixtu
8. 01:51The lesson was clear
9. 02:08The spark that kills
10. 02:25Lightning induced ignition of the fuel/air mixtu
11. 02:44Your Invisible Shield
12. 03:05The Shield Evolves
13. 03:21The 787's Copper Mesh
14. 03:40Restoring the Faraday Cage
15. 04:07Examine all of the external lights
16. 04:23The legacy of Pan Am 214
17. 04:38The Invisible Threat
18. 04:59A Spark in the Dark
19. 05:18Bonding and Grounding
20. 05:37Static Wicks
21. 06:00Inerting Systems
22. 06:23Testing the Limits
23. 06:38The Human Factor
24. 07:02Safer than you think

About this video

Why lightning can't bring down modern jets, even though every airliner is struck by lightning about once a year. After Pan Am Flight 214 exploded over Maryland in 1963, killing 81 people, engineers discovered the real threat wasn't the lightning bolt itself—it was the tiny spark it created inside the fuel tank. Learn how Faraday cage construction, bonding straps, static wicks, fuel tank inerting systems, and the Boeing 787's embedded copper mesh protect passengers from a danger most never even notice. Chapters: 00:00 Struck by Lightning? No Problem. 00:17 Lightning induced ignition of the fuel/air mixtu 00:37 The Storm 00:51 Lightning induced ignition... 01:04 The Spark, Not the Bolt 01:19 The left wing exploded 01:32 Lightning induced ignition of the fuel/air mixtu 01:47 The lesson was clear 02:03 The spark that kills 02:20 Lightning induced ignition of the fuel/air mixtu 02:38 Your Invisible Shield 02:58 The Shield Evolves 03:14 The 787's Copper Mesh 03:32 Restoring the Faraday Cage 03:58 Examine all of the external lights 04:13 The legacy of Pan Am 214 04:28 The Invisible Threat 04:48 A Spark in the Dark 05:06 Bonding and Grounding 05:25 Static Wicks 05:47 Inerting Systems 06:09 Testing the Limits 06:24 The Human Factor 06:47 Safer than you think Sources & further reading: • Pan Am Flight 214 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_Am_Flight_214 • History Oasis - On December 8, 1963, Pan Am Flight 214 was... — https://www.facebook.com/historyoasis/posts/on-december-8-1963-pan-am-flight-214-was-making-its-way-from-baltimore-to-philad/851841597950115 • Dec 8, Lightning strike, explosion, breakup, Pan Am Flight 214, Elkton ... — https://www.usdeadlyevents.com/1963-dec-8-lightning-strike-explosion-breakup-pan-am-flight-214-elkton-md-81 • How Lightning Doomed Pan Am Flight 214 In 1963 — https://avgeekery.com/how-lightning-doomed-pan-am-flight-214-in-1963 • Boeing 707-121 — https://www.faa.gov/lessons_learned/transport_airplane/accidents/N709PA • Accident Boeing 707-121 N709PA, Sunday 8 December 1963 — https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/332986 • Pan Am Flight 214 Aftermath Footage — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2GMs8j833U • AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT — https://asn.flightsafety.org/reports/1963/19631208_B701_N709PA.pdf

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