Some Aircraft Maintenance Services Australia (AMSA) engineers extended the use of pitot probe covers (to mitigate the threat of wasp infestation) to operators that did not explicitly require it, including Malaysia Airlines. This increased the likelihood of error associated with the use of pitot probe covers was because AMSA engineers were not controlling or conducting all of the engineering activities and were not permitted to make technical log entries.
Heston MRO has implemented a mandatory procedure to use, record, and remove pitot probe covers for all aircraft handled while transiting Brisbane.
On 19 January 2022, Heston MRO advised that it implemented a mandatory procedure to be applied to all aircraft handled while transiting Brisbane, requiring the following:
During the arrival procedures, all pitot covers will be fitted to the aircraft, the HESTON MRO placard will be set in the cockpit, and an entry will be made in the aircraft technical log… The pitot cover is to be removed no earlier than 30 minutes prior to departure or as directed by the Customer. The entry in the aircraft technical log can then be closed and the HESTON MRO placard removed and returned to the transit toolbox in accordance with 01-023 Transit Toolbox Procedure.
If flight crews request earlier removal, a note on the time of removal is to be made in the technical log.
On 19 January 2022, Heston MRO updated its dispatch coordination (headset) competency assessment to include checks of the pitot-static system.
