EASA SIB 2020-14R1: Contamination of Air Data Systems During Aircraft Parking and / or Storage due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

What to do

Continuing airworthiness management organisations and maintenance organisations should strictly follow type certificate holder maintenance instructions for cleaning and inspecting pitot static systems when returning aircraft to service. Operators should protect pitot probes with covers even during short parking, enhance pre-flight inspections, and train flight crews to detect and respond to airspeed anomalies. National competent authorities should monitor and support compliance with these recommendations. No mandatory compliance deadlines are specified.

Summary

EASA Safety Information Bulletin 2020-14R1 addresses contamination of air data systems during aircraft parking and storage related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights issues with unreliable speed and altitude indications caused by foreign object contamination, such as insect nests in pitot static systems, affecting all parked or stored aircraft regardless of duration. The bulletin provides guidance for continuing airworthiness management organisations, maintenance organisations, commercial air transport operators, and national authorities to mitigate these risks.

What changed

EASA SIB 2020-14R1 revises the original SIB 2020-14 issued on 5 August 2020, updating the information on contamination risks in air data systems during aircraft parking and storage. It emphasizes that contamination can occur even during short parking periods under 48 hours and includes new recommendations to improve maintenance and operational procedures to prevent unreliable air data indications.

Why it matters

This bulletin is important because contaminated air data systems can lead to rejected take-offs and air turn back events, posing safety risks and operational disruptions. Aviation professionals must be aware of the increased risk of pitot static system contamination due to extended parking or storage during the pandemic. Proper maintenance and operational vigilance are critical to ensure flight safety and avoid costly delays or incidents.