Errors-To: <t6@concentric.net>
Message-ID: <3B91ACDF.C8BEC93C@concentric.net>
Date: Sat, 01 Sep 2001 22:52:00 -0500
From: Andy Katz <t6@concentric.net>
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To: Lancair <lancair.list@olsusa.com>
Subject: Lancair IV-P and lightning
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trying to get all the bugs out of my IV-P today we had to remove the
winglets ( I have the static wicks attached to the trailing edges as
recommened) and after fixing what we had to do we reinstall the winglets
back. A short 20 minutes hop around the pattern -its summer in Texas,
lots of heavy clouds and passage of a low front with plenty of rain with
low ceilings -around 3500 feet) , suddenly the smell of burning plastic
pervaded the cabin. Upon landing the left lens covering the nav lights
and strobes was partially melted with a black streak going to the top
third flat screw holding the winglet. After opening the winglet and
inspecting the damage -all superficial- that the source was lightining
or electrical discharge. Never heard a thing. Close inspection of the
airplane disclosed no other damage. The wicks were completely untouched.
The radios did not fail and both the nav and strobes continue to
function. Weird. Anybody can comment on ways to prevent this? I flew
quite close to the bottom of heavy dark clouds at low altitude.
andres

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