A330 sensor block sparks pilot alert

摘要

European safety regulators are ordering operators of Airbus A330s and A340s to incorporate a new emergency procedure to cope with blocked angle-of-at-tack sensors. The order follows an incident involving an A330 which suffered blockage of all angle-of-at-tack probes during climb. This led to autopilot disconnection and activation of the angle-of-attack protection when the aircraft's Mach number increased. In an emergency directive the European Aviation Safety Agency says that, under this combination of the protection and Mach increase, the flight-control laws order the aircraft to pitch down.%16