NTSB Advisory (Investigating possible A-330 speed and altitude indication anomalies)

National Transportation Safety Board ^ | 2009-06-25 | (press advisory)

[Clive]

NTSB Advisory
National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594
June 25, 2009

NTSB INVESTIGATING TWO RECENT INCIDENTS INVOLVING POSSIBLE A-330 SPEED AND ALTITUDE INDICATION ANOMALIES

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating two recent incidents in which airspeed and altitude indications in the cockpits of Airbus A-330 aircraft may have malfunctioned.

The first incident occurred May 21, 2009, when TAM Airlines flight 8091 (Brazilian registration PT-MVB) flying from Miami, Florida to Sao Paulo, Brazil, experienced a loss of primary speed and altitude information while in cruise flight. Initial reports indicate that the flight crew noted an abrupt drop in indicated outside air temperature, followed by the loss of the Air Data Reference System and disconnections of the autopilot and autothrust, along with the loss of speed and altitude information. The flight crew used backup instruments and primary data was restored in about 5 minutes. The flight landed at Sao Paulo with no further incident and there were no injuries and damage.

The Safety Board has become aware of another possibly similar incident that occurred on June 23 on a Northwest Airlines A-330 (registration unknown) flying between Hong Kong and Tokyo. The aircraft landed safely in Tokyo; no injuries or damage was reported. Data recorder information, Aircraft Condition Monitoring System messages, crew statements and weather information are being collected by NTSB investigators.

Further information on both incidents will be released when it becomes available.

###

NTSB Public Affairs
(202) 314-6100
Ted Lopatkiewicz
lopatt@ntsb.gov

[saganite]

The fact they are gathering this information points to what they think is the probable cause of the Air France flight.

[ops33]

I wonder if Congress should change the law and give the NTSB enforcement authority over its recommendations.

[saganite]

NTSB is investigative. They only supply recommendations. Their charter would have to change completely and the FAA wouldn’t allow it. Talk about a turf war!