{"id":"F2006B01991","name":"AD/A330/11 - Pitot Probes","slug":"ad-a330-11-pitot-probes","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":41213,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B01991-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","sectionType":"part","heading":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","content":"# AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.\n\nAirbus Industrie A330 Series Aeroplanes","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/A330/11 Pitot Probes 3/2003","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/A330/11 Pitot Probes 3/2003","content":"# AD/A330/11 Pitot Probes 3/2003\n\nApplicability: Model A330 series aeroplanes, all serial numbers (S/N) fitted with Thales Avionics pitot probes part number (P/N) C16195AA with a S/N lower than 4760.\n\nNote 1: Thales Avionics was previously known as \"Sextant\" or \"Sextant Avionique\".\n\nNote 2: P/N C16195AA pitot probes have been installed either during production in accordance with Airbus Industrie modification 45638 or whilst in service in accordance with Service Bulletin (SB) A330-34-3071.\n\nRequirement: Unless already accomplished, clean the drain holes of the three pitot probes in accordance with the Thales Avionics SB C16195A-34-002 dated 17 October 2002.\n\nNote 3: DGAC AD 2002-594(B) refers.\n\nCompliance: Within 700 hours time in service after the effective date of this Directive.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 20 March 2003.\n\nBackground: The Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile of France has advised that an operator reported airspeed discrepancy events on an A320 aircraft, investigations revealed that the discrepancies were caused by a manufacturing defect at the drain holes.\n\nThe manufacturing defect contributed to the accumulation of external pollution which, combined with severe weather conditions, obstructed the air intake of the pitot probes, leading to bad total pressure Pt detection and therefore erroneous CAS/MACH parameters delivered by the ADR.\n\n![](image.002.png)  \n\nJames Coyne\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 30 January 2003\n\n![](image.001.png)","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Directive targets a specific subset of A330 aeroplanes fitted with the identified Thales pitot probes (P/N C16195AA, S/N < 4760) and prescribes a cleaning remedy; it does not expand the affected aircraft type or impose additional maintenance beyond the specified cleaning and compliance timeframe."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability tied to a specific part number (P/N C16195AA) and serial number cutoff (S/N < 4760).","Remedial action must follow an external Thales Avionics Service Bulletin (C16195A-34-002), creating a dependency on a manufacturer procedure.","Short, specific compliance window (within 700 flight hours) imposes scheduling and record-keeping demands on operators.","Action applies to three pitot probes per aircraft, so maintenance tasks are repetitive and must be applied across affected fleets.","Notes reference installation history (production modification 45638 or SB A330-34-3071), requiring operators to check maintenance/production records to determine applicability.","Cross-reference to a foreign authority AD (DGAC AD 2002-594(B)) means operators may need to reconcile international compliance information.","Issued under CASA delegation (subregulation 39.1(1) of CAR 1998), so a regulatory instrument—operators have no discretion to ignore it."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of Airbus A330 aeroplanes fitted with Thales Avionics pitot probes P/N C16195AA (S/N < 4760) to clean the drain holes of all three pitot probes in accordance with Thales SB C16195A-34-002 within 700 flight hours. It became effective 20 March 2003 to address reported airspeed discrepancies caused by blocked pitot drains.\n\nOperators and their maintenance organisations must carry out and fund the cleaning; the CASA delegate mandates compliance and prescribes the Thales procedure."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope — addressing a specific manufacturing defect in specific pitot probes on A330 aircraft. There is no evidence of scope creep; it targets exactly the unsafe condition described in the background (drain hole contamination leading to airspeed discrepancies) with a precise, limited remedy."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical action required (cleaning drain holes)","Narrow applicability limited to one aircraft model with specific part numbers and serial number range","Straightforward compliance deadline (700 hours time in service)","Only one cross-reference to a French aviation authority directive (DGAC AD 2002-594(B))","Minimal conditional logic — essentially 'if you have this part, do this action'","No nested exceptions or complex procedural alternatives","Short document (approximately 250 words excluding headers and images)"],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of Airbus A330s fitted with Thales Avionics pitot probes (P/N C16195AA, S/Ns below 4760) to clean the drain holes on three pitot probes to prevent contamination.\n\nA manufacturing defect can block those drains and produce erroneous airspeed readings—risking loss of control—so Australian operators must carry out the cleaning per Thales guidance within 700 flight hours of 20 March 2003."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-a330-11-pitot-probes","history":"/api/acts/ad-a330-11-pitot-probes/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-a330-11-pitot-probes/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-a330-11-pitot-probes/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-a330-11-pitot-probes/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-a330-11-pitot-probes/documents"}}