FAR 23.2335 — Lightning Protection
FAR 23.2335 requires Part 23 airplanes to be protected against catastrophic effects from lightning. Learn what this means for certification and pilots.
FAR 23.2335 is a short but critical airworthiness standard in Part 23, which governs the certification of normal category airplanes. The rule states that the airplane must be protected against catastrophic effects from lightning.
In plain terms, when a manufacturer designs and certifies a Part 23 airplane, they must demonstrate that a lightning strike will not cause a catastrophic failure. "Catastrophic" means an event that would prevent continued safe flight and landing — for example, structural failure, loss of flight controls, fuel system ignition, or disabling of essential electronics.
Why it matters operationally:
- Aircraft routinely operate in environments where lightning is possible, especially near convective weather.
- Certification under FAR 23.2335 gives pilots reasonable assurance that an inadvertent strike won't bring the airplane down, though it does not authorize intentional flight into thunderstorms.
- Pilots remain responsible for weather avoidance under the operating rules; this regulation addresses the airframe's design resilience, not pilot technique.