ALL OPERATORS TELEX – ALL OPERATORS TELEX

SUBJECT: ATA 34 - PITOT PROBE 0851HL - LOOSE PNEUMATIC QUICK-DISCONNECT 

UNION

OUR REF: AOT A330-34A3235 REV 02 dated 01 MARCH 2010

OUR PREV/REF:

AOT A330-34A3235 dated 10 SEPT 2009

AOT A330-34A3235 REV 01 dated 21 SEPT 2009

0. REASON FOR REVISION

The aim of this AOT revision is to inform operators about the terminating 

action for affected probes held as spares.

This AOT revision includes instructions to identify a Goodrich Pitot 

probe that has already had the torque check performed and therefore 

requires no further action under this AOT.

The revised paragraphs are indicated by: **BEG REV** and **END REV**.

1. AIRCRAFT AFFECTED

**BEG REV**

All A330 fitted with Goodrich Sensors Integrated Systems (Rosemount) 

Pitot probes P/N 0851HL with Serial Numbers from 267328 THRU 270714 

(inclusive).

Pitot probes currently fitted on aircraft, which have already been 

checked per the previous revision of this AOT, do not need re-checking.

**END REV**

2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTATION

Ref 1 SB A330-34-3231

Ref 2 AMM TASK 34-11-15-000-801

Ref 3 AMM TASK 34-11-15-400-801

Ref 4 RIL SEOT2 916.0253/09

**BEG REV**

Ref 5 CMM GOODRICH 34-11-09, Revision 3, OCT 2009

Ref 6 AD 2009-0202-E

**END REV**
3. REASONS

3.1 FACTS

Several operators have reported loose pneumatic quick disconnect unions 

on Goodrich Pitot probes P/N 0851HL, as per SB Ref 1 and RIL Ref 4. 

Airbus suspects a batch quality issue due to increased production rate.

3.2 CONSEQUENCES

A loose pneumatic quick-disconnect union could lead to an air leak and 

potentially incorrect total pressure measurement.

**BEG REV**

However, further investigations have shown that an under-torqued probe 

would not leak (torque value lower than the one specified in CMM Ref 5).

3.3 AIM

The aim of this AOT revision is to provide operators with the updated 

procedure to apply to Pitot probes P/N 0851HL with Serial Numbers from 

267328 THRU 270714 (inclusive) that are still held in stock as spares.

4. SHORT-TERM ACTION

Category A: Pitot probes P/N 0851HL in the effectivity of this AOT and 

installed on aircraft have been checked as per AOT A330-34A3235 Revision 

1 dated 21 SEPT 2009. No further action is required for these probes as 

long as they remain installed on aircraft. Once removed from aircraft, 

pitot probes shall be treated as indicated in category B prior to reinstallation on aircraft.

Category B: For Pitot probes P/N 0851HL in the effectivity of this AOT 

that are still held as spares or have been removed from aircraft, as per 

category A, check the interface of the quick disconnect union and the 

union mount for red torque check indicating mark:

- If a torque check indicating mark is present and intact, the pitot 

probe may be installed on aircraft with no further action required.

- If no torque check indicating mark is present or if it is compromised, 

either:

* Apply CMM Ref 5 instructions to check and adjust (if necessary) the 

torque of the quick-disconnect union and apply (or re-apply) a red torque 

check indicating mark as per the Check Section of Goodrich CMM Ref 5.

Or

* Install the pitot probe on aircraft as per AMM Ref 3 and perform a 

torque check of the pneumatic quick-disconnect union (in accordance with 

the procedure in para 4.2 of this AOT) just after installation on 

aircraft and before next flight.

4.1 PLANNING AND MANPOWER
4.1.1 ACCOMPLISHMENT TIMESCALE

The torque check of the pneumatic quick-disconnect union should have been 

done within 5 days of reception of the original issue of this AOT dated 

10 SEPT for those Pitot probes fitted on aircraft.

For those Pitot probes held as spares:

- Ref 5 CMM application shall be done before installation on aircraft

Or

- Pitot probes shall be installed provided the procedure described in 

para 4.2 of this AOT is done before next flight after installation on 

aircraft.

4.1.2 MANPOWER

The elapsed time necessary to check the quick disconnect coupling 

connection as required by par 4.2 of this AOT is:

- 30 minutes for one person to check 3 Pitot probe on one aircraft plus 5 

minutes for another person for visual check of quick-disconnect coupling 

connection.

- 10 minutes for 1 person to check in shop 1 Pitot probe held as spare.

4.2 DESCRIPTION

4.2.1 TORQUE CHECK

For each Pitot probe that needs to be checked on aircraft (no torque 

check mark present or AOT rev 1 not applied), apply the following 

procedure:

- Disconnect the quick-disconnect coupling from each Goodrich probe (as 

per Ref 2)

- Gradually torque the quick-disconnect union fitted on the probe to 4.9 

ft-lbs / 0.66 daN.m while using a restraining wrench on the mating hex to 

oppose the applied torque.

- If the connector nut does not rotate for a torque lower or equal to 4.9 

ft-lbs / 0.66 daN.m, it is correctly torqued and no further action is 

required.

- If the connector nut does rotate for a torque lower or equal to 4.9 ftlbs / 0.66 daN.m, it is not sufficiently torqued. In this case, continue 

applying torque to reach 6 ft.lbs / 0.81 daN.m, again using a restraining 

wrench on the mating hex to oppose the applied torque.

- Re-connect the quick-disconnect coupling to the Pitot probe.

- Make sure that you can see the blue ring on the quick-disconnect 

coupling (as per Ref 3)

- Pull the quick-disconnect coupling to make sure that it is correctly 

installed.

- Make sure that a second qualified mechanic does a visual inspection of 

the quick disconnect coupling connection. The two mechanics must sign off 

the job.

4.2.2 RED TORQUE CHECK INDICATING MARK APPLICATION
A torque check indicating mark can be applied as per the following 

procedure:

- apply a small amount of marking paint (colour: red) to the interface of 

the air fitting and the air-fitting mount 

- air dry for one hour.

5. FURTHER ACTION

N/A

6. AOT APPROVAL

The technical content of this AOT has been approved under EASA Design 

Organisation Approval EASA.21J.031.

It is anticipated that corresponding EASA Airworthiness Directive (AD Ref 

6) will be modified accordingly.

**END REV**

7. RECORDING/ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Operators are requested to acknowledge receipt of this AOT revision to:

Mr R. LASCOURS, SEE

E-mail: richard.lascours@airbus.com

Fax number: +33/(0)5 61 93 32 73

Within 10 days after receipt. This acknowledgement can be made through 

the Airbus RCSR office when available.

Questions about the technical content of this AOT are to be addressed to:

Mr Antoine BOUYER

Phone: +33/(0)5 67 19 73 65

Fax: +33/(0)5 61 93 44 25

E-mail: antoine.bouyer@airbus.com

Best regards,

John GROTHER

VICE PRESIDENT A330/A340 PROGRAMME

CUSTOMER SERVICES DIRECTORATE

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