Action
Final rule.
Summary
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2010-23-12 for certain Airbus Model A330 and Model A340 series airplanes. AD 2010-23- 12 required inspecting to determine the part number for Thales Avionics Angle of Attack (AoA) probes, and replacing any affected probe with a serviceable probe. This new AD adds airplanes to the applicability and, for certain airplanes, requires that those affected probes be replaced. This AD was prompted by reports that the AoA sensors on certain airplanes were modified and re-identified without performing the inspection to determine the part number; therefore, the affected probes were not replaced with serviceable probes. We are issuing this AD to prevent erroneous AoA information and consequent delayed activation or non-activation of the AoA protection systems, which, in combination with flight at a high angle of attack, could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.