14 CFR § 25.581 - Lightning protection.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t14/s25.581"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "14 CFR § 25.581 - Lightning protection."
title_number: 14
title_name: "Aeronautics and Space"
section_number: "25.581"
section_name: "Lightning protection."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "AIRCRAFT"
part_number: "25"
part_name: "AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702 and 44704; Pub. L. 115-254, 132 Stat 3281 (49 U.S.C. 44903 note)."
regulatory_source: "Docket No. 5066, 29 FR 18291, Dec. 24, 1964, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "25"
---


# 25.581 Lightning protection.

(a) The airplane must be protected against catastrophic effects from lightning.

(b) For metallic components, compliance with paragraph (a) of this section may be shown by—

(1) Bonding the components properly to the airframe; or

(2) Designing the components so that a strike will not endanger the airplane.

(c) For nonmetallic components, compliance with paragraph (a) of this section may be shown by—

(1) Designing the components to minimize the effect of a strike; or

(2) Incorporating acceptable means of diverting the resulting electrical current so as not to endanger the airplane.

[Amdt. 25-23, 35 FR 5674, Apr. 8, 1970]