To: Lomapaseo
Still spewing the same misinformation LU
The FAA was informed in 1984 that the flap and slat system of a large commercial aircraft was ungrounded to the wing structure and in the event of a lightning attachment to a partially extended slat the lightning would be carried directly into a fuel tank. Yet, the FAA has taken no action in correcting this design fault.
The slat and flap drive as originally designed had the capability of draining low static voltages to the airframe but in the event of a lightning strike the system would be overloaded and it would fail.
A while back the FAA was notified that they may have mis translated an AD issued by the DGCA and in the process removed the ability of the system to drain the static charges from the slat and flap drive systems. Yet they took no action to determine if the AD had been mis translated. They were also informed that the FAA AD and the AD issued by Transport Canada were not in agreement on the same subject.
With the incorporation of this AD it will ensure that any lightning strike to a partially extended slat will be directed to the fuel tank.
Since you are with the FAA you can contact the Seattle office and talk to a Mr. Waterman or a Mr. Martenson
