When visiting Lancair last December, I was shown the effects of a lightning
strike on the original L-IV prototype. It had been leased to TCM in Mobile
for some engine tests. While on approach one day, it took a lightning strike
on one winglet. You can see a thumbnail sized burn where the bolt entered.
Near the wing root is a similar thumbnail sized exit burn.

TCM flew the plane for about 40 hours after the strike. As I was in Redmond,
the plane was grounded for control surface hinge replacement (wear, not
lightning damage).

Most likely the lightning entered at the end of the carbon fiber, traveled
along either the skin or the spar, then exited at the other end of the skin.
The only burn areas were at the resistive interfaces. It appeared that there
was no other damage.

My guess is that the carbon fiber skin of the L-IV is a very good lightning
protection.

Ted Noel

________________________
The Bible Only ---- If the Bible doesn't teach it, neither will we.
http://www.bibleonly.org
     Home of BibleOnly Press, publisher of "I Want to be Left Behind."
http://www.bibleonly.org/press/