jcjeant,
Your quote:
EASA issued an airworthiness directive to eliminate the Thales AA Pitot probe defective the August 31 2009
After the AF447 crash ..... nice timing
So as not to confuse the more recent followers of this event, what you are saying is true regarding EASA, but doesn't cover the factual waterfront. AF experienced 9 incidents involving UAS with Thales pitot tubes prior to AF447. In 2008, Airbus recommended replacement of the Thales pitots with Goodrich pitots which had less susceptibility of failure due to icing or heavy rain conditions. Many airlines proceeded to replace at least two of their pitots on each affect aircraft, but AF, for one reason or another, didn't replace any on AF447 before the incident.
A discussion was held between Airbus and AF in October of 2008 regarding Thales AA pitots and Airbus recommendations to switch to Goodrich in two positions, 1 and 3.
I am not supporting or degrading EASA, but AF was forewarned of the situation, but didn't take action immediately as other did.