AIT-Dispatch, AIRBUS
FYI.
Please, be patient.
At this stage of the investigation, there are no new available data
than the messages which have been transmitted automatically from the
aircraft to the airline maintenance center.
The above mentioned messages indicate that there was unreliable
airspeed indication. This unreliable airspeed situation is consolidated
by several messages which show system reconfigurations which are per-
design consequences of the unreliable airspeed indication.
The last transmitted message corresponds to the ECAM Advisory message
indicating a change of cabin altitude at a rate greater than 1800
ft/min, which remains to be explained.
Some messages might be consistent with unreliable airspeed indication
but require further analysis. Other messages likely result from further
aircraft evolution and/or crew actions. Finally system status messages
have also been transmitted but are not relevant for the understanding
of the event.
The data available at this stage of the investigation:
- does not suggest any loss of electrical power supply,
- does not suggest a loss of instrument display,
- does not suggest an ADIRU misbehaviour as encountered in a recent
A330 event for 2 reasons: the ADIRU supplier and the signature of
failure related messages are not the same as on AF447,
- does not explain the complete sequence of events which led to
AF447 accident.
Airbus continues to provide the full technical support to the BEA in
the frame of the on-going ICAO Annex 13 investigation.
Airbus also provides support to EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency)
to assess if there will be the need or not for further precautionary
steps. Airbus will inform operators should either Airbus and/or
Investigation Board and/or Airworthiness Authorities determine the need
for further precautionary measures
Regarding the pitot tube, the fleet is currently fitted with 3
different standards: 2 from Thales supplier (std -AA and -BA, AF447
standard was -AA) and one standard from Goodrich. Concerning the Thales
standard, the latest -BA standard has been developed to enhance water
drainage encountered during heavy rain conditions on take-off or
landing phases.
Pending further investigation inputs, Airbus confirms at this stage
that the fleet in its various pitot tube standards can continue
operations and take the opportunity to recommend operators to remind
their pilots on the applicable and existing operational procedures as
recalled in the AIT n°2.
Airbus understands the need to share accident data with operators in a
prevention objective, while complying with communication requirements
set by the Official Investigation Board. This is why update on the
accident data will be provided as soon as further valuable information
is available and approved for release by the Investigation Board.