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Lightning Strike

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Martin Olliver

Joined: 04 Jan 2010
Posts: 35

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:17 am Post subject: Lightning Strike

Hi All. Has anyone experienced a lightning strike in a Europa? If not what is the perceived result of such a strike? A few years ago in the south of England a plastic glider was struck and broke up in flight both occupants survived as parachutes were deployed. A luxury I am unable to have due to size issues (not saying I am fat just well built!) My concern with the Europa is the lack of bonding between components and conductors to ensure components don't explode apart, as happened with the glider.

 If as I suspect we all take a risk with this issue has any one considered any possible remedial action to improve the situation?

Martin.

nigel henry

Joined: 24 Feb 2011
Posts: 16
Location: oxford uk

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:44 am Post subject: Lightning Strike

Dont fly ! As for well built Iv had lunch with you in Mcdonnalds ! and two of us in one europa I think might be a no no as not able to add fuel for w&b issues, so safety is bliss see you soon Nigel Ps will be down in the next few days put the coffee on ...... and no buns ! and yes will bring your gascolator top.

[quote] Subject: Lightning Strike

 From: martflynut(at)aol.com

 Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:17:46 -0800

 To: europa-list(at)matronics.com

 --> Europa-List message posted by: "Martin Olliver" <martflynut(at)aol.com>

 Hi All. Has anyone experienced a lightning strike in a Europa? If not what is the perceived result of such a strike? A few years ago in the south of England a plastic glider was struck and broke up in flight both occupants survived as parachutes were deployed. A luxury I am unable to have due to size issues (not saying I am fat just well built!) My concern with the Europa is the lack of bonding between components and conductors to ensure components don't explode apart, as happened with the glider.

  If as I suspect we all take a risk with this issue has any one considered any possible remedial action to improve the situation?

 Martin.

 Read this topic online here:

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=366176#366176

davidjoyce(at)doctors.org
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:47 am Post subject: Lightning Strike

Martin, Paul McAlister had a lightning strike on his 

Europa which produced only modest damage and left the 

plane fliable, detailed at: 

http://europa363.versadev.com/LightningStrike.html   It 

was clearly a much lower energy strike than the one that 

blew up the glider. It apperas to havetravelled along thge 

wires to his nav ligfhts and thus avoided the control 

runs. When I was contemplating flying to Ausralia I did a 

fair bit of research on the topic and found it exremely 

difficult to get any authoritive advice other than the CAA 

publication triggered by the glider incident  (CAA 

AIL/0014, 2001, ISBN 1 904862 19 5) which gives 

recommendations for protecting gliders. It makes excellent 

sense for Europas contemplating getting near to Cu Nims.

  ( And although I usually feel it best to stay very well 

clear of such things, it is not possible to get to 

Australia without risking doing so unwittingly). My plan 

had been to run some aluminium mesh along the aileron and 

flap close outs to link with the rear lift pins and the 

bar across the fus behind tghe seats, with foil extensions 

from the outer aluminium mesh around the wing tip. I also 

planned to run a link from the engine frame to the tail 

wheel spring.

    Hope that helps, David Joyce, G-XSDJ



On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:17:46 -0800

  "Martin Olliver" <martflynut(at)aol.com> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

<martflynut(at)aol.com>

 

 Hi All. Has anyone experienced a lightning strike in a 

Europa? If not what is the perceived result of such a 

strike? A few years ago in the south of England a plastic 

glider was struck and broke up in flight both occupants 

survived as parachutes were deployed. A luxury I am 

unable to have due to size issues (not saying I am fat 

just well built!) My concern with the Europa is the lack 

of bonding between components and conductors to ensure 

components don't explode apart, as happened with the 

glider.

 If as I suspect we all take a risk with this issue has 

any one considered any possible remedial action to 

improve the situation?

 Martin.

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=366176#366176

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Un/Subscription,

Forums!

Admin.

trevpond(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:49 am Post subject: Lightning Strike

What do Cirrus do?



Trev

G-LINN



Sent from my iPhone 



On 13 Feb 2012, at 10:17, "Martin Olliver" <martflynut(at)aol.com> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Hi All. Has anyone experienced a lightning strike in a Europa? If not what is the perceived result of such a strike? A few years ago in the south of England a plastic glider was struck and broke up in flight both occupants survived as parachutes were deployed. A luxury I am unable to have due to size issues (not saying I am fat just well built!) My concern with the Europa is the lack of bonding between components and conductors to ensure components don't explode apart, as happened with the glider.

 If as I suspect we all take a risk with this issue has any one considered any possible remedial action to improve the situation?

 Martin.

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=366176#366176

davidjoyce(at)doctors.org
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:55 am Post subject: Lightning Strike

Martin, Sorry that link to Paul's strike doesn't seem to 

work, but perhaps he will come back with one that does! 

David

On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:46:25 +0000

  "David Joyce" <davidjoyce(at)doctors.org.uk> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

<davidjoyce(at)doctors.org.uk>

 

 Martin, Paul McAlister had a lightning strike on his 

Europa which produced only modest damage and left the 

plane fliable, detailed at: 

http://europa363.versadev.com/LightningStrike.html   It 

was clearly a much lower energy strike than the one that 

blew up the glider. It apperas to havetravelled along 

thge wires to his nav ligfhts and thus avoided the 

control runs. When I was contemplating flying to Ausralia 

I did a fair bit of research on the topic and found it 

exremely difficult to get any authoritive advice other 

than the CAA publication triggered by the glider incident 

 (CAA AIL/0014, 2001, ISBN 1 904862 19 5) which gives 

recommendations for protecting gliders. It makes 

excellent sense for Europas contemplating getting near to 

Cu Nims.

  ( And although I usually feel it best to stay very well 

clear of such things, it is not possible to get to 

Australia without risking doing so unwittingly). My plan 

had been to run some aluminium mesh along the aileron and 

flap close outs to link with the rear lift pins and the 

bar across the fus behind tghe seats, with foil 

extensions from the outer aluminium mesh around the wing 

tip. I also planned to run a link from the engine frame 

to the tail wheel spring.

    Hope that helps, David Joyce, G-XSDJ

 

 On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:17:46 -0800

  "Martin Olliver" <martflynut(at)aol.com> wrote:

> 

><martflynut(at)aol.com>

> 

> Hi All. Has anyone experienced a lightning strike in a 

>Europa? If not what is the perceived result of such a 

>strike? A few years ago in the south of England a plastic 

>glider was struck and broke up in flight both occupants 

>survived as parachutes were deployed. A luxury I am 

>unable to have due to size issues (not saying I am fat 

>just well built!) My concern with the Europa is the lack 

>of bonding between components and conductors to ensure 

>components don't explode apart, as happened with the 

>glider.

> If as I suspect we all take a risk with this issue has 

>any one considered any possible remedial action to 

>improve the situation?

> Martin.

> 

> 

> 

> 

> Read this topic online here:

> 

> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=366176#366176

> 

> 

> 

> 

> 

> 

> 

>Un/Subscription,

>Forums!

>Admin.

> 

> 

> 

 

Un/Subscription,

Forums!

Admin.

davidjoyce(at)doctors.org
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 3:31 am Post subject: Lightning Strike

Pete, It was a flight experience/trial lesson flight, with 

P2 having his first glider flight (and his last, inspte of 

being offered a free second one in view of his first being 

curtailed!) There was no water ballast, but there was some 

speculation that some water contamination (?condensation) 

might have added to the force of the heat generated 

expansionof the air in the wing, which effectively blew 

the two surfaces apart. What was established is that the 

energy in the bolt was exceptionally high, significantly 

more, in fact, than airliners are built to withstand. 

Regards, David Joyce

On Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:16:04 -0500

  Peter Zutrauen <peterz(at)zutrasoft.com> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   Hi Martin,

 

 I was under the impression that the glider you referred 

to broke up in

 flight due to the water ballast in the wings?

 

 Indeed in the archives you should find Paul Mcallister's 

lightning strike

 experience. Quite a read!

 

 http://www.aeroelectric.com/articles/Anatomy_of_a_Lightning_Strike.pdf

 

 Cheers,

 Pete

 A239

 

 On Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 5:17 AM, Martin Olliver 

<martflynut(at)aol.com> wrote:

 

> 

><martflynut(at)aol.com>

>

> Hi All. Has anyone experienced a lightning strike in a 

>Europa? If not what

> is the perceived result of such a strike? A few years 

>ago in the south of

> England a plastic glider was struck and broke up in 

>flight both occupants

> survived as parachutes were deployed. A luxury I am 

>unable to have due to

> size issues (not saying I am fat just well built!) My 

>concern with the

> Europa is the lack of bonding between components and 

>conductors to ensure

> components don't explode apart, as happened with the 

>glider.

>  If as I suspect we all take a risk with this issue has 

>any one considered

> any possible remedial action to improve the situation?

> Martin.

>

>

> Read this topic online here:

>

> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=366176#366176

>

paul.the.aviator(at)gmail
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 4:20 am Post subject: Lightning Strike

Hi Martin, 



I documented a lightning strike at http://www.europa.net.nz/363/index.html.  Its under the drop down on the left hand side.



Paul



 On Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 4:17 AM, Martin Olliver <martflynut(at)aol.com (martflynut(at)aol.com)> wrote:

[quote] --> Europa-List message posted by: "Martin Olliver" <martflynut(at)aol.com (martflynut(at)aol.com)>

 

 Hi All. Has anyone experienced a lightning strike in a Europa? If not what is the perceived result of such a strike? A few years ago in the south of England a plastic glider was struck and broke up in flight both occupants survived as parachutes were deployed. A luxury I am unable to have due to size issues (not saying I am fat just well built!) My concern with the Europa is the lack of bonding between components and conductors to ensure components don't explode apart, as happened with the glider.

   If as I suspect we all take a risk with this issue has any one considered any possible remedial action to improve the situation?

 Martin.



[b]

grahamsingleton(at)btinte
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 5:02 am Post subject: Lightning Strike

Pete & Martin

It was the control runs I think, but probably also moisture in the core of the composite skins, I remember reading that the wings exploded like confetti.

Graham

        From: Peter Zutrauen <peterz(at)zutrasoft.com>

 To: europa-list(at)matronics.com 

 Sent: Monday, 13 February 2012, 11:16

 Subject: Re: Lightning Strike

Hi Martin,

I was under the impression that the glider you referred to broke up in flight due to the water ballast in the wings?

Indeed in the archives you should find Paul Mcallister's lightning strike experience. Quite a read!  

http://www.aeroelectric.com/articles/Anatomy_of_a_Lightning_Strike.pdf

Cheers,

Pete

A239

  On Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 5:17 AM, Martin Olliver <martflynut(at)aol.com (martflynut(at)aol.com)> wrote:

[quote]  --> Europa-List message posted by: "Martin Olliver" <martflynut(at)aol.com (martflynut(at)aol.com)>

 Hi All. Has anyone experienced a lightning strike in a Europa? If not what is the perceived result of such a strike? A few years ago in the south of England a plastic glider was struck and broke up in flight both occupants survived as parachutes were deployed. A luxury I am unable to have due to size issues (not saying I am fat just well built!) My concern with the Europa is the lack of bonding between components and conductors to ensure components don't explode apart, as happened with the glider.

    If as I suspect we all take a risk with this issue has any one considered any possible remedial action to improve the situation?

 Martin.

 Read this topic online here:

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=366176#366176

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kheindl(at)msn.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 6:22 am Post subject: Lightning Strike

I have had a minor strike some years ago. Judging by the trail of 'damage' it appears to have entered by the tailpipe and exited via the radiator. But it was minor and no repair was necessary.Manufacturers like Cirrus and Diamond have integrated aluminum or copper mesh into the wing skins.

Karl

From: gbupa(at)hotmail.com

To: europa-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: RE: Lightning Strike

Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:44:08 +0000

     .ExternalClass .ecxhmmessage P {padding:0px;} .ExternalClass body.ecxhmmessage {font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma;}    Dont fly ! As for well built Iv had lunch with you in Mcdonnalds ! and two of us in one europa I think might be a no no as not able to add fuel for w&b issues, so safety is bliss see you soon Nigel Ps will be down in the next few days put the coffee on ...... and no buns ! and yes will bring your gascolator top.

 	  Quote: 	
		   Subject: Lightning Strike

 From: martflynut(at)aol.com

 Date: Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:17:46 -0800

 To: europa-list(at)matronics.com

 --> Europa-List message posted by: "Martin Olliver" <martflynut(at)aol.com>

 Hi All. Has anyone experienced a lightning strike in a Europa? If not what is the perceived result of such a strike? A few years ago in the south of England a plastic glider was struck and broke up in flight both occupants survived as parachutes were deployed. A luxury I am unable to have due to size issues (not saying I am fat just well built!) My concern with the Europa is the lack of bonding between components and conductors to ensure components don't explode apart, as happened with the glider.

  If as I suspect we all take a risk with this issue has any one considered any possible remedial action to improve the situation?

 Martin.

 Read this topic online here:

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=366176#366176

   	  Quote: 	
		  [b]

 target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List

http://forums.matronics.com

="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution

[/b]

  [quote][b]

raimo.toivio(at)rwm.fi
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 6:53 am Post subject: Lightning Strike

Martin,



I had a case 8.th of June 2008. It went in via a 

fin top mounted strobo (it melted and remainders 

are in my "museum" now). Never found an outcoming 

hole. It broke also an electric trim and we had to 

land when trimmed for a cruise speed. It visited 

also a radio but no radio damages. I felt it via 

power lever and co-pilot got some electric 

experience via his headsets.



That occurred when we flew between two black CBs, 

distance was about 10 nm /each. I cannot verify 

was it a strike or so called St. Elmo´s fire. Not 

very fun anyway.



What I did later to improve the situation? Nothing 

but try to stay more clear about CBs.



Raimo

OH-XRT

FINLAND



-----Alkuperäinen viesti----- 

From: Martin Olliver

Sent: Monday, February 13, 2012 12:17 PM

To: europa-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Lightning Strike




Olliver" <martflynut(at)aol.com>



Hi All. Has anyone experienced a lightning strike 

in a Europa? If not what is the perceived result 

of such a strike? A few years ago in the south of 

England a plastic glider was struck and broke up 

in flight both occupants survived as parachutes 

were deployed. A luxury I am unable to have due to 

size issues (not saying I am fat just well built!) 

My concern with the Europa is the lack of bonding 

between components and conductors to ensure 

components don't explode apart, as happened with 

the glider.

If as I suspect we all take a risk with this issue 

has any one considered any possible remedial 

action to improve the situation?

Martin.





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=366176#366176



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Martin Olliver

Joined: 04 Jan 2010
Posts: 35

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:21 am Post subject: Re: Lightning Strike

Thank you all for your input.

Martin.

Last edited by Martin Olliver on Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:50 am; edited 1 time in total

nigel_graham(at)m-tecque.
Guest

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:32 am Post subject: Lightning Strike

Just remember to take a pee before you take off   BODY { font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px; } 

  

  

  

  On Tue 14/02/12 10:21 , "Martin Olliver" martflynut(at)aol.com sent:

   [quote]  

  Thank you all for your input. The good news here is that those of you who have had a lightning strike, seem to have only suffered minor or no damage at all. The situation with the glider seems to be different because of the moisture in the wings. I think we can all fly with cautious optimism on this one.

  Martin.

  

  

  

  

  Read this topic online here:

  

  [url=parse.php?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fforums.matronics.com%2Fviewtopic.php%3Fp%3D366258%23366258]http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=366258#366258[/url]

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

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frans(at)privatepilots.nl
Guest

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:39 am Post subject: Lightning Strike

On 02/13/2012 11:17 AM, Martin Olliver wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   Hi All. Has anyone experienced a lightning strike in a Europa? If not

 what is the perceived result of such a strike?


	


The result is impossible to predict. Lightning stikes comes in all sizes

and shapes. You can get a little protection against very light strikes

(for of course a weight penalty), but since you don't know what is going

to strike you there is just one effective measure: stay away from

anything that looks like a TS.



If you embed copper mesh in your wings it will make your wings much

heavier, and of course if the strike is heavy enough the mesh will melt

anyway and take the wing with it. Any strike generates heat, and as we

all know our Europa's can not tolerate much heat, not much what we can

do about it except for using aluminium instead of glass fiber.



As much as the size and direction of lightning strikes vary, so do the

results. The best in terms of survivability are vertical strikes. They

don't search for your airplane, you just have to fly through a strike in

progress. Alas, they are the least occuring stikes in airplanes. Much

more occuring are spanwise and lenghtwise strikes. Your airplane offers

an electric charge a comfortable path to find its opponent. Also, your

exhaust fumes leave a trail of extra conductive air, due to the carbon

and extra moisture in it. Any charge following that trail will find your

airplane. Spanwise strikes bring the risk of welding the aileron

controls, and of course the heat expands the air in the wings and the

wings may just blow apart. Lenghtwise strikes will likely travel via the

rudder cables. Apart from taking the ruddder out when the tiny cables

melt, they might melt through the fuel tank which is just an inch away.

Heat and fuel don't go along very well. And of course the rudder cables

end at the rudder pedals, so I hope you don't have wet feet when it happens.

The avionics and electric systems are the least of your concerns, but

anything might fail, if not everything. It is likely you can't talk to

anyone anymore, have no navigation anymore, and have to land your

crippled airplane trimmed for cruise speed and possibly without rudder

or aileron control without assistance. If you survived the initial

strike at all of course.



I remember the story of someone who got hit by lightning. They found his

airplane with all the controls welded. Some research revealed that the

poor pilot had flown for at least 10 minutes after all the controls

where welded inmovable before he crashed...



So, I will avoid thunderstorms at all costs.

In my airplane I installed a stormscope. If it indicates anything

threatening closer than 100nm, I will just land and fly another day.



Frans

frans(at)privatepilots.nl
Guest

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:41 am Post subject: Lightning Strike

On 02/14/2012 11:21 AM, Martin Olliver wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   Thank you all for your input. The good news here is that those of you

 who have had a lightning strike, seem to have only suffered minor or

 no damage at all. The situation with the glider seems to be different

 because of the moisture in the wings. I think we can all fly with

 cautious optimism on this one. Martin.


	


I think you can not. These people had just tremendous luck. The wings of

an Europa will explode if the strike is anything more than "extremely

light".



Frans

Speedbird

Joined: 18 Jan 2008
Posts: 9

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:43 am Post subject: Lightning Strike

If you don't have farradays, stay well clear of CB's and where to suspect discharging!

I have flown at least 5000 hours in King Airs with multiple hits and it never fells secure or "god enoug" around thunder and lightning...

I have seen composite parts hit by lightning and it has always destroyed parts beyond repair!

Don't fly near it...

My 2 cents of recommendations 

Cheers!

Ivan



KajakCenter Halland

Org nr; 5805034625

P: +46 703 621310

P: +46 704 694444

M: midwing(at)telia.com

W: www.kajakcenter-halland.se

14 feb 2012 kl. 11:21 skrev "Martin Olliver" <martflynut(at)aol.com>:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 Thank you all for your input. The good news here is that those of you who have had a lightning strike, seem to have only suffered minor or no damage at all. The situation with the glider seems to be different because of the moisture in the wings. I think we can all fly with cautious optimism on this one.

 Martin.

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=366258#366258

Martin Olliver

Joined: 04 Jan 2010
Posts: 35

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:53 am Post subject: Re: Lightning Strike

Not looking good then.

Martin

Speedbird

Joined: 18 Jan 2008
Posts: 9

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:55 am Post subject: Lightning Strike

Frans,

That is the best approach!

I do fully agree.

Don't fly in or near clouds especially those convective ones...

There is no such thing as a "mild" TS...

Blue Skies!

Ivan

Frmr FC at SOS Flygambulans AB

KajakCenter Halland

Org nr; 5805034625

P: +46 703 621310

P: +46 704 694444

M: midwing(at)telia.com

W: www.kajakcenter-halland.se

14 feb 2012 kl. 11:37 skrev Frans Veldman <frans(at)privatepilots.nl>:

 	  Quote: 	

 On 02/13/2012 11:17 AM, Martin Olliver wrote:

> Hi All. Has anyone experienced a lightning strike in a Europa? If not

> what is the perceived result of such a strike?

 The result is impossible to predict. Lightning stikes comes in all sizes

 and shapes. You can get a little protection against very light strikes

 (for of course a weight penalty), but since you don't know what is going

 to strike you there is just one effective measure: stay away from

 anything that looks like a TS.

 If you embed copper mesh in your wings it will make your wings much

 heavier, and of course if the strike is heavy enough the mesh will melt

 anyway and take the wing with it. Any strike generates heat, and as we

 all know our Europa's can not tolerate much heat, not much what we can

 do about it except for using aluminium instead of glass fiber.

 As much as the size and direction of lightning strikes vary, so do the

 results. The best in terms of survivability are vertical strikes. They

 don't search for your airplane, you just have to fly through a strike in

 progress. Alas, they are the least occuring stikes in airplanes. Much

 more occuring are spanwise and lenghtwise strikes. Your airplane offers

 an electric charge a comfortable path to find its opponent. Also, your

 exhaust fumes leave a trail of extra conductive air, due to the carbon

 and extra moisture in it. Any charge following that trail will find your

 airplane. Spanwise strikes bring the risk of welding the aileron

 controls, and of course the heat expands the air in the wings and the

 wings may just blow apart. Lenghtwise strikes will likely travel via the

 rudder cables. Apart from taking the ruddder out when the tiny cables

 melt, they might melt through the fuel tank which is just an inch away.

 Heat and fuel don't go along very well. And of course the rudder cables

 end at the rudder pedals, so I hope you don't have wet feet when it happens.

 The avionics and electric systems are the least of your concerns, but

 anything might fail, if not everything. It is likely you can't talk to

 anyone anymore, have no navigation anymore, and have to land your

 crippled airplane trimmed for cruise speed and possibly without rudder

 or aileron control without assistance. If you survived the initial

 strike at all of course.

 I remember the story of someone who got hit by lightning. They found his

 airplane with all the controls welded. Some research revealed that the

 poor pilot had flown for at least 10 minutes after all the controls

 where welded inmovable before he crashed...

 So, I will avoid thunderstorms at all costs.

 In my airplane I installed a stormscope. If it indicates anything

 threatening closer than 100nm, I will just land and fly another day.

 Frans

davidjoyce(at)doctors.org
Guest

Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:01 am Post subject: Lightning Strike

Martin, I would like to think you are right but I doubt 

you are! I think that any Europa (at least the XS, which 

is constructed in very much the same way as the K21 glass 

fibre glider) is just as likely to have dampness in the 

wings. On top of that, if you look at the AAIB report  ( 

www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources.cfm?file=/dft_avsafety_pdf_500699.pdf 

) there is no mention of water as far as I can see - it 

appears to be just a shock wave associated with the very 

high energy electrical discharge. For me the point at 

issue is the size of the lightning bolt. As well as 

blowing up the wings the current fused or destroyed most 

of the aileron  control mechanisms so that it would have 

been unflyable even with the wings intact. It seems that 

the 3 reported Europa strikes have all been low energy 

ones, and I have no optimism about an unmodified Europa 

surviving a medium or large strike. Regards, David Joyce, 

G-XSDJ

On Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:21:36 -0800

  "Martin Olliver" <martflynut(at)aol.com> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

<martflynut(at)aol.com>

 

 Thank you all for your input. The good news here is that 

those of you who have had a lightning strike, seem to 

have only suffered minor or no damage at all. The 

situation with the glider seems to be different because 

of the moisture in the wings. I think we can all fly with 

cautious optimism on this one.

 Martin.

 

 

 

 

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