NTSB -- NTSB INVESTIGATING TWO RECENT INCIDENTS INVOLVING POSSIBLE A-330 SPEED AND ALTITUDE INDICATION ANOMALIES

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NTSB ADVISORY

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National Transportation Safety Board

Washington, DC 20594

June 25, 2009

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NTSB INVESTIGATING TWO RECENT INCIDENTS INVOLVING

POSSIBLE A-330 SPEED AND ALTITUDE INDICATION ANOMALIES

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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

lopatt@xxxxxxxx

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