2012-03 · NASA ASRS report 998261
CRJ200 flight crew describes the discovery of a missing static wick on the elevator after the aircraft had flown several legs that day. Maintenance determines that the wick is not deferrable and inspection reveals a lightning strike to the topside of the elevator.
During the walk around after the inbound flight my First Officer (FO) noticed a static wick missing on the elevator. After calling Maintenance it was determined it could not be deferred. Maintenance was called out and upon further inspection there was damage found on top of the elevator caused by a suspected lightning strike. Since the damage was on top of the elevator the only indication was the missing static wick. The weather on the day of operation was clear so it stands to reason the strike happened before we had accepted the aircraft. I flew 3 legs before the damage was found. My first FO on the first turn missed the damage and during the third walk around is when my second FO noticed the missing wick.The event occurred before we had accepted the aircraft but we failed to notice the missing wick as well. When the strike occurred is unknown. Wick wasn't found to be missing until my second FO found it. A more thorough walk around is the only way to prevent this from occurring again. It's obvious that my 2 FO's weren't the first two to miss it since the strike had to happen sometime during the previous days. My second FO found the problem and although he didn't find it on the first leg he did come across the damage and reported it to me once it was noticed. I'm certain that this has taught him a valuable lesson as it has me and for it we will be far more detailed in the future.
Noticed a missing static wick during preflight and advised the Captain. Weather was clear and a million. Maintenance later determined there had been a lightning strike (not during our flight). Airplane was grounded and flight rescheduled. Undetected during first [walk around] inspection. Maintenance also missed it; as there was a service check that morning and no thunderstorms anywhere near.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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