[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: Aircraft and lightning



Original poster: Jim Lux <jimlux@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>

At 03:58 PM 8/6/2005, you wrote:
Original poster: Ed Phillips <evp@xxxxxxxxxxx>

"<http://www-frd.fsl.noaa.gov/mab/microburst/micro_course.html>http://www-frd.fsl.noaa.gov/mab/microburst/micro_course.html
 >
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/people/journals/aero/coppenbarger/micro.html
-----
Looks like I'll have to double-check credibility of my
references or consult them with more care;)
Indeed,offical reports on the incidentss rejected
lightning to be the cause (becouse no evidences of
in-flight fire,explosion,or lightning strike were"

        The "black box" flight recorders showed unmistakable evidence of a
typical microburst incident as the cause of the accident.  Approaching
the field there is a headwind and updraft as the plane enters the edge
of the downwash; typical pilot reaction would be to nose down and reduce
power.  Unfortunately, immediately after there is a tailwind and
downdraft and the crew is often unable to recover before hitting the
ground.  New avoidance procedures involve keeping power on and flying
constant attitude.


And even then, nothing can save you when you're 30-100 feet off the ground and the hand of nature reaches out with a several thousand ft/min downdraft and pushes you down into the ground in a second or two.

(aside from just waiting until the thunderstorm moves away...)