News - National
FAA orders replacement of Airbus airspeed sensors
Posted: Sep 3, 2009 8:13 AM by Joan Lowy
Federal safety officials are ordering the replacement of Airbus airspeed sensors of the kind suspected of playing a role in loss of Air France Flight 447 and all 228 aboard in June.
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a notice published Thursday that U.S. airlines operating Airbus A330s and A340s must replace at least two of three sensors on the plane made by European electronics giant Thales Corp. approved replacements are made by North Carolina-based Goodrich Corp. The order affects 43 planes operated by Northwest Airlines and US Airways. FAA said the sensors can become blocked by ice crystals at high altitudes.
The European aviation safety agency finalized a similar order on Aug. 31.
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