On looking at the unlucky Glasair, I wonder if the original path was down
the rudder hinge line, through the control and then the tie-down chain.  The
rudder looks like it had been cleanly severed.  Does this plane have a piano
hinge for the rudder?  That would be a continuous electrical path.  I have
been thinking about running a continuous ground between metal parts to
dissipate static build-up - which probably would not have done any good in
this case.  Is there anyone else planning to do something like that?  It
would seem obvious that the best place for a conductor is outside the skin
not inside.  When asked where lightning strikes someone said "wherever it
wants."

Gary Casey
ES project