Aer Lingus to replace sensors following Air France crash

AER LINGUS is replacing air speed sensors on some of its jets amid mounting speculation that the wrong flying speed in thunderstorm conditions caused the recent loss of an Air France plane with 228 people on board.

Air France said it first noticed temperature related flaws with the A330 speed sensors more than a year ago. Airbus first recommended that airlines replace the speed sensors, known as Pitot tubes, on its single-aisle A320-series models and twin-aisle A340 and A330 planes in September 2007.

Aer Lingus will replace the electrical sensors on Airbus SAS A330s similar to equipment on the Air France jet that crashed off the coast of Brazil.