Airport Ops, Flight Ops, Maintenance Matters, News
The AAIB blames insects’ frenzied nest-building for blocking airliners’ pitot/static systems at Heathrow in mid-2021 and warns that the problem is likely to recur.
A pandemic-related surge in bee and wasp nest-building activity was responsible for at least eight abnormal pitot/static system events, including two rejected takeoffs, involving commercial airliners at London’s Heathrow Airport in mid-2021, the U.K. Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) says.
The agency says its action was prompted by a rash of runway incursions at U.S. airports.
The AAIB has issued safety recommendations to prevent uncommanded flap extensions and half-speed flap retractions on Bombardier Challengers.
With no standardized guidelines, apron/ramp markings at U.S. airports are often developed according to local preferences, a new report says.
