Story ID: AN312302014alerts
FAA Upgrades Part 25 Lightning Protection Standards
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: New standards designed to protect fuel tanks from explosions.
Word Count: 88
The FAA is proposing to upgrade lightning-protection standards for fuel tanks on newly certified Part 25 transport-category airplanes. The proposal would establish design and maintenance requirements to prevent fires and explosions from lightning strikes. The requirements would apply to certification of new or significantly modified airplanes, as well as STCs dealing with modifications to fuel-tank structures and systems. Comments are due March 18. The FAA identified only four instances of fire and/or explosions of fuel tanks from suspected lightning strikes since 1959, with the last one occurring in 1976.