Airlines operating Airbus A330/A340 aircraft must check Goodrich pitot air-speed probes for defects, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said on Sept. 23.

The EASA emergency airworthiness directive concerns Goodrich pitot probes stamped with the part number 0851HL.

The Emergency AD states: "Several reports have recently been received of loose pneumatic quick-disconnect unions on Goodrich pitot probes P/N 0851HL. These may be the result of mis-torque of the affected unions at equipment manufacturing level.

This condition, if not corrected, could lead to an air leak, resulting in incorrect total pressure measurement and consequent erroneous Calibrated Airspeed

(CAS)/MACH parameters delivered by the Air Data Computer (ADC). As a precautionary measure, this AD requires a torque check of the pneumatic quick-disconnect union on certain Goodrich P/N 0851HL pitot probes and corrective action, depending on findings."

The EAD requires that:

Within 5 days after the effective date of this AD (Sept. 23, 2009), perform a torque check of the pneumatic quick-disconnect union of each Goodrich P/N 0851HL pitot probe, identified by s/n in the Applicability section of this AD, and depending on findings, before next flight, apply the associated corrective action in accordance with instructions defined in AIRBUS All Operators Telex (AOT) A330-34A3235 Revision 01 or AOT A340-34A4241 Revision 01 or AOT A340-34A5074 Revision 01, as applicable to aeroplane model.

Within 10 days after accomplishment of the torque check required by paragraph (1) of this AD, report the results, including no findings, to Airbus.

Torque check of the pneumatic quick-disconnect union accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with the instructions of Airbus AOT A330-34A3235 at Original issue or AOT A340-34A4241 at Original issue or AOT A340-34A5074 at Original issue, as applicable to aeroplane model, is considered acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1) of this AD.

After the effective date of this AD, when a P/N 0851HL pitot probe identified by s/n in the Applicability of this AD is installed on an aeroplane, before next flight after installation, perform the torque-check in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (1) of this AD.