Action
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Summary
We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200, -300 and -200 Freighter series airplanes, and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require, for certain airplanes, revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to advise the flight crew of emergency procedures for addressing Angle of Attack (AOA) sensor blockage. This proposed AD would also mandate replacing the AOA sensor conic plates with AOA sensor flat plates, which is a terminating action for the AFM revision. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that an airplane equipped with AOA sensors installed with conic plates recently experienced blockage of all sensors during climb, leading to autopilot disconnection and activation of the alpha protection (Alpha Prot) when Mach number was increased. We are proposing this AD to prevent reduced control of the airplane.