Three airspeed incidents at Heathrow trigger alert over insect blockage

UK safety regulators are urging pilots to pay close attention to speed checks during the take-off roll, after three incidents three days at London Heathrow involving suspected pitot blockage by insects. The separate incidents – which occurred during 9-11 June – involved aircraft of different types, all of which had been parked for periods of three to seven days at different locations within the hub airport. Airspeed discrepancies resulted in crew actions, says the UK Civil Aviation Authority. It has not identified the operators or aircraft affected. “Initial feedback suggests a form of insect infestation may have contributed to these events,” it adds, although a formal probe is underway by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch. “These events may not be isolated to this airport and the time for the blockages to occur is unknown.”<br/>