Airbus has issued a safety notice for operators to remind them to comply with all aircraft manual procedures when conducting maintenance or painting work, especially involving aerodynamic data sensors. The bulletin follows the Nov. 27 crash of an Air New Zealand A320 on approach to Perpignan, France in which seven people were killed at the end of a maintenance test flight. Germany’s XL Airways was leasing the aircraft from Air NZ, who was preparing to take it back following maintenance and painting. French authorities are still investigating the accident. The Airbus notice also stresses that operators should take particular care during check flights, especially with aircraft flying at low speeds. Air New Zealand, which warned against pre-judging the cause of the crash based on the safety bulletin, says the Airbus notice is “a precautionary measure intended to remind operators of existing manufacturer recommendations.”
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