The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating
two recent incidents in which airspeed and altitude
indications in the cockpits of Airbus A-330 aircraft may
have malfunctioned.
The first incident occurred May 21, 2009, when TAM Airlines
flight 8091 (Brazilian registration PT-MVB) flying from
Miami, Florida to Sao Paulo, Brazil, experienced a loss of
primary speed and altitude information while in cruise
flight. Initial reports indicate that the flight crew noted
an abrupt drop in indicated outside air temperature,
followed by the loss of the Air Data Reference System and
disconnections of the autopilot and autothrust, along with
the loss of speed and altitude information. The flight crew
used backup instruments and primary data was restored in
about 5 minutes. The flight landed at Sao Paulo with no
further incident and there were no injuries and damage.
The Safety Board has become aware of another possibly
similar incident that occurred on June 23 on a Northwest
Airlines A-330 (registration unknown) flying between Hong
Kong and Tokyo. The aircraft landed safely in Tokyo; no
injuries or damage was reported. Data recorder information,
Aircraft Condition Monitoring System messages, crew
statements and weather information are being collected by
NTSB investigators.
Further information on both incidents will be released when
it becomes available.
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NTSB Public Affairs
(202) 314-6100
Ted Lopatkiewicz
