Aviation News Item: 00676

9th Jun 2009

Source: ubmaviationnews.com

The small French Alter union, which represents 12 per cent of Air France's flight crew, has advised its members not to fly A330s and A340s until the airline has replaced at least two of the aircraft's three original pitot tubes. Icing of these airspeed indication probes has been discussed as a possible factor in last week's crash of an AF A330 over the South Atlantic, killing all 228 onboard. ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System) messages from the aircraft showed problems with the airspeed indication system shortly before the accident. The airline has said it started replacing the probes on its A330/A340 fleet on April 27, 2009, after tests had shown that an alternative probe showed better performance in icy conditions. The company said the modification will take several weeks but has not set a specific date for completion. Problems with pitot tube icing on the airline's A330/A340 fleet were first reported in May 2008, according to Air France. Other airlines such as Aer Lingus have reportedly started replacing pitot probes on their A330 aircraft.

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