I think I was told
that it is so if you crash, the people outside can see in to help find you.

probably bollocks
(LetsGetDownToIt, Wed 19 Oct 2011, 15:33, 2 replies)

That's what I heard
fire crews can shine lights in through the open windows to locate survivros/injured
( emvee cruor deo cruoris, Wed 19 Oct 2011, 15:36, closed)

I think it's true.
Also it helps you remain orientated if you crash because you have a visual point of reference. Although I'm fairly sure if I was hanging upside down by a waist fitted seatbelt with my book on the ceiling above my head, I'd know that I was hanging upside down by a waist fitted seatbelt wuth my book on the ceiling above my head.
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Wed 19 Oct 2011, 15:38, closed)

I call bollocks.
Not least because, if they're that close, they'd be in the fuselage, and so could see you anyway. Besides: you'd expect that to be a reason to keep the lights on.

EDIT: OK, having read emvee's reply, there might be something to it... though it doesn't seem like all that compelling a reason to me. Why worry about shining a light through the window (and from what distance is anyone's guess) when the perspex is reflective, and when, if the lights still work, that'd be better? (If they don't work, there's no point turning them off before landing...)
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Wed 19 Oct 2011, 15:38, closed)