Dear dxb: I was surprised recently by news item of passengers in airplane hit by lightning
being injured. I can't remember how seriously. As with all electical accidents, a circuit has
to be established, with current passing through the human body. The car body and airplane
body form a highly conductive shield, so no current should be able to go through vital
nerves which is capable of causing death. I'll see if I can relocate that news item.

I found it. Apparently ball lightning was involved, and that's so rare it is not all all well understood.
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/living/health/3122626.htm

Story on BBC tonight about ball lightning:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1721473.stm