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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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May 22, 2009 · Airbus A330 200 · PT-MVB

Los Cayes, HT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
May 22, 2009
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (176 uninjured)
Location
Los Cayes, HT
Aircraft
Airbus A330 200
Tail Number
PT-MVB
Operator
Tam
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
DCA09IA055

On May 21, 2009, at 2147 EDT, an Airbus A330-200, Brazilian registration PT-MVB, operated by TAM Airlines as flight 8091 from Miami International Airport, Florida, to Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport, Brazil, experienced a loss of primary speed and altitude information while in cruise flight at FL370. Initial reports indicated that the flight crew noted an abrupt drop in outside air temperature and observed St. Elmo's Fire, followed by the loss of the Air Data Reference System, disconnections of autopilot and autothrust, and loss of primary airspeed and altitude. The flight crew continued using backup instruments, and after approximately 5 minutes, primary data was restored. The airplane remained in alternate flight law and displayed a rudder travel limit flag. The crew determined they could not restore normal law and continued the flight under the appropriate procedures. The flight landed at Sao Paulo with no further incident and there were no injuries or damage. With the concurrence of the Brazilian Centro de Investigação e Prevenção de Acidentes Aeronáuticos (CENIPA), the NTSB initiated an incident investigation into this event. The final report for this incident was combined with and can be found under NTSB investigation number, DCA09IA064.

NTSB Probable Cause

The final report for this incident was combined with and can be found under NTSB Investigation number, DCA09IA064.

Full Narrative

On May 21, 2009, at 2147 EDT, an Airbus A330-200, Brazilian registration PT-MVB, operated by TAM Airlines as flight 8091 from Miami International Airport, Florida, to Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport, Brazil, experienced a loss of primary speed and altitude information while in cruise flight at FL370. Initial reports indicated that the flight crew noted an abrupt drop in outside air temperature and observed St. Elmo's Fire, followed by the loss of the Air Data Reference System, disconnections of autopilot and autothrust, and loss of primary airspeed and altitude. The flight crew continued using backup instruments, and after approximately 5 minutes, primary data was restored. The airplane remained in alternate flight law and displayed a rudder travel limit flag. The crew determined they could not restore normal law and continued the flight under the appropriate procedures. The flight landed at Sao Paulo with no further incident and there were no injuries or damage. With the concurrence of the Brazilian Centro de Investigação e Prevenção de Acidentes Aeronáuticos (CENIPA), the NTSB initiated an incident investigation into this event. The final report for this incident was combined with and can be found under NTSB investigation number, DCA09IA064.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time01:47 UTC
Nearest AirportLOSCAYES (60nm)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAirbus A330 200
Tail NumberPT-MVB
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorTam
Operating RulePart 129
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · PW4000 · Turbofan | Pratt & Whitney · PW4000 · Turbofan

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (176 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured176
Total176

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data