Back to top
Guidance about the use of pitot covers
Date issue released
Safety Issue Description

Malaysia Airlines did not develop and disseminate guidance and procedures about the use of pitot probe covers to flight crews and engineers, and there was limited awareness among those groups of the need for pitot probe covers at Brisbane Airport.

Issue number
AO-2018-053-SI-14
Issue Status
Closed – Adequately addressed
Transport Function
Aircraft Maintenance
Issue Owner
Malaysia Airlines
Mode of Transport
Aviation
Issue Status Justification

The proactive safety actions provide sufficient information to flight crews and engineers about the need for pitot probe covers at Brisbane Airport.

Proactive action
Action number
AO-2018-053-PSA-06
Organisation
Malaysia Airlines
Action Status
Closed
Action description

Following the occurrence, Malaysia Airlines:

  • updated its technical handling manual to require a technical log entry to record the fitment of pitot probe covers
  • issued a flight safety bulletin to all flight crew to be more vigilant during exterior walk-around and to ensure that all covers to any sensors are removed before flight
  • required the use of a placard that says ‘pitot covers are installed’ on the flight deck centre pedestal as a visual alert for flight crew
  • required the use of a technical log entry on the installation of pitot probe covers
  • issued a notice to install, record, placard, and remove pitot probe covers at all times during aircraft transit or layover at Brisbane.