jcj - I think you're reading a different meaning into my words than I intended. This problem is a new one that seems to have arisen with a recent modification to the AoA vanes
I don't think so ...
Older AOA vanes or new AOA vanes can have the problem of this particular incident
It's not unpredictable ... even if certifications are bad or good
All in a aircraft is certified and all can fail one day or another
You can't of course have a procedure for every items who fail in a aircraft .. but it must be procedures when important item fail
AOA vanes are important items necessary for the safe conduct of the flight
The implication of the failure described in this post on the flight automation was predictable by the constructor (like a fail of Pitot for what it was procedure already available .. as it's predictable)
But unfortunately no procedure was available for the pilots at the time of this incident .. and it was a risk that this incident turn in a accident ...
Fortunately .. the pilots not goofed .. Airbus yes IMHO