A330/A340 Models Affected By The Proposed European A/D

The European Aviation Safety Agency plans to propose an Airworthiness Directive mandating that all Airbus A330/A340 aircraft currently fitted with Thales pitot probes must be fitted with at least two Goodrich probes, allowing a maximum of one Thales BA type probe to remain fitted on the aircraft. Each aircraft is equipped with 3 pitot tubes. The older Thales probes of the type AA would no longer be fitted.

All three types comply with the applicable safety standards and the Agency's proposals are therefore intended as a precautionary measure.
 

The publication of the Agency's proposals with further details, which are still being elaborated, is foreseen within the next 14 days.

The Agency's proposals, which have been agreed with Airbus, are based on pitot probe performance data which the Agency has analyzed in recent weeks.

A330 File Photo

Air France Flight 449, which went down in the Atlantic on a flight from Brazil, was an Airbus A330. NTSB has also been investigating two other incidents involving A330's that reported airspeed discrepancies during flight.

FMI: www.easa.europe.eu