Mon, Jun 14, 2004
Aviation Consultant: Bombardier Global Express More Vulnerable
To Lightning Strikes
The Bombardier Global Express is more prone to lightning strikes
and can suffer more damage as a result than its competitors. That
shocking statement comes from aviation consultant Ernest Arvai,
testimony in a lawsuit filed by a disgruntled Bombardier
customer.
Arvai says the Global Express is 20 to 25 times more prone to
lightning strikes than similar business jets and is much more
likely to suffer damage as a result. In his report comparing the
Global Express to four similar aircraft, Avrai said his findings
"clearly reflect a serious flaw with the Global Express."
Bombardier refused to comment on the report. At Bombardier's
annual corporate meeting earlier this month, CEO Paul Tellier said
the company is trying to settle the dispute out of court.
The report was ordered by former Congressman Michael Huffington,
who's battling Bombardier over the Global Express he ordered in
1995, according to Canadian Press. He demands a discount off the
$38 million asking price because he says the aircraft suffered
damage when hit by lightning on March 28, 2003. He says the
aircraft was also damaged in transit to delivery.
"When we hired the expert I had no idea what we would find,"
Huffington told CP. "Discovering the frequency of lightning strikes
was a side issue."
Comparing data from three manufacturers, Arvai concluded the
Global Express is 9.2 times more apt to be hit by lightning on than
the Gulfstream V, 28.6 times more than the Dassault Falcon 900, and
31 times more than the Gulfstream IV.
As far as the Global Express's ability to withstand lightning
damage, Avrai said, "Like any products, some are designed better
than others... but with an airplane, if those differences impact
safety, that's a much more serious issue."
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