Airbus Takes Precautionary Measures After Air France A330 Crash

Strategic Insights -

Airbus has sent operation information telex (OIT) to Indian carriers, including Air India, Jet Airways, and Kingfisher, after an Air France A330 crashed in the Atlantic Ocean due to faulty speed sensors. The French air accident agency (BEA) suspects that the inconsistent speed readings could have contributed to the crash. In response, Indian carriers have conducted safety tests on their A330 fleets as per the OIT guidelines.

Key Takeaways:

  • Airbus has sent an operation information telex (OIT) to Indian carriers, including Air India, Jet Airways, and Kingfisher, to conduct comprehensive checks of the A330 aircraft.
  • The French air accident agency (BEA) suspects that faulty speed sensors that gave inconsistent speed readings could have been one of the factors responsible for the Air France A330 air crash.
  • Air India has two A330 aircraft in its fleet and has conducted safety tests on the aircraft as per the OIT.
  • Kingfisher Airlines, which inducted new A330 in its fleet in September last year, has new sensors with already safety tests conducted.
  • Jet Airways has 12 A330s, with ten in service and two leased out, but had initiated a programme for inspection of AirSpeed Indication system in January 2008, completed by April 2009.
  • Airbus did not comment on the issue.

Statistics:

  • 2: Number of A330 aircraft in Air India's fleet.
  • 12: Number of A330s in Jet Airways' fleet.
  • 10: Number of A330s in service with Jet Airways.
  • 2: Number of A330s leased out by Jet Airways.
  • January 2008: Date when Airbus called for inspection of AirSpeed Indication system.
  • April 2009: Date when AirSpeed Indication system inspections on Jet Airways' A330 fleet were completed.

Sources:

  • "Airbus swings into action after Air France A330 crash", The Indian Express Limited, Copyright 2009, distributed by Contify.com