Lightning
 
 
http://www.livescience.com/32638-do-planes-get-struck-by-lightning.html
 
  Lightning storms happen all around the world, and so do flights. The two have to be able to coexist without hurting the plane. Planes are designed to take a lightning strike, and not short out all of electronics. According to studies, each commercial airline gets hit by lightning one time per year on average (Pappas, 2010). This is a very high number, and as more planes take to the skies the numbers will probable go up.
 
 



http://www.kongregate.com/forums/9-serious-discussion/topics/46657-wouldyou-fly-if-you-knew-lightning-can-do-this-to-a-plane      
This is what the damage from a lightning strike looks like. The damage to the nose cone is very obvious, and could be potentially deadly, but not likely. Due to the shell of the plane taking the hit, the planes electronics are able to still work, but the shell will need repairs.

The photo below gives a great visual of how lightning strikes a plane. The plane is surrounded by a conducting "sphere". The planes fly around the clouds, which can have a large capacitance. The cloud can then discharge that into the plane, and create massive amounts of power. The shell of the plane will then take the hit, and the materials will not allow transfer of electricity inside to the passengers (Pappas, 2010). This allows planes to fly safely through storms. The plane itself might endure damage, but in most cases the passengers will land safely back on the ground.
 
 

 

http://www.weatherwatch.co.nz/content/plane-struck-lightning-splits-three