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Airlines told to replace part tied to crash

By Associated Press
September 4, 2009

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WASHINGTON - Federal safety officials are ordering the replacement of Airbus airspeed sensors of the kind suspected of playing a role in the loss of Air France Flight 447 and all 228 people aboard in June.

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a notice published yesterday that US airlines operating Airbus A330s and A340s must replace at least two of three sensors on the plane made by European electronics giant Thales Corp. Approved replacements are made by Goodrich Corp., a North Carolina firm. The order affects 43 planes operated by Northwest Airlines and US Airways. The FAA said the sensors can become blocked by ice crystals at high altitudes.

The European aviation safety agency finalized a similar order Aug. 31.

© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.