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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) was set up by the EU in 2003 to promote the highest common standards of safety and environmental protection in civil aviation. Based in Cologne, the Agency currently employs nearly 500 experts and administrators from all over Europe
Dr. Daniel Höltgen, Head of Communications
Tel.: + 49 (221) 89990 2002 - Fax: + 49 (221) 89990 2502