FAA Warns Of AOA Sensor Damage

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The FAA published an InFO (Information For Operators) sheet last week detailing its concerns about human damage to angle-of-attack sensors. “It is imperative that all operators are aware of the criticality of AOA sensors,” the notice says. 

“Based on continued airworthiness activity on multiple foreign and domestic products, including large transport aircraft and small general aviation aircraft, FAA has determined it is necessary to advise operators of the importance of performing proper operations and maintenance on AOA sensors,” says the FAA.

Of course, the notification comes after both the Boeing 737 MAX crashes where faulty AOA information and the temporary grounding of the Cirrus Vision Jet after the company found anomalies in its AOA sensors that led to activation of the anti-stall system.

Says the FAA, “There are multiple entities involved with the operation and maintenance of aircraft, such as aircraft operators, certificate holders, maintenance providers, ramp service providers and miscellaneous service providers. Regardless of certification basis, it is imperative that all operators are aware of the criticality of AOA sensors and the potential for damage during normal operations, maintenance procedures, servicing procedures, and any other procedures around an aircraft where damage to an AOA sensor could occur.”

Marc Cook
KITPLANES Editor in Chief Marc Cook has been in aviation journalism for more than 30 years. He is a 4000-hour instrument-rated, multi-engine pilot with experience in nearly 150 types. He’s completed two kit aircraft, an Aero Designs Pulsar XP and a Glasair Sportsman 2+2, and currently flies a 2002 GlaStar.

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1 COMMENT

  1. Had a Lear 35 client tell me that he was loading pax in a slight rain. They were crowding the entry when one guy hung his garment bag on the left AOA vane. He said “I grabbed it and threw it on the ground”. He then said that he cancelled the flight to have the vane inspected and recalibrated. People can be really stupid.

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