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."

FMI: www.bombardier.com