AVIATION/ PROBE OPENS INTO THOMSON 757 INCIDENT

The NTSB has issued a brief report on a serious incident involving a THOMSON AIRWAYS Boeing 757 on February 17, 2010, near Las Palmas, CI, Spain. The incident, not publicly reported at the time, is under investigation by the UK AAIB. The NTSB has assigned a representative to the investigation. On February 17, Thomson Flight 4311 was on International Service from Las Palmas to London Gatwick. While climbing out of Las Palmas, the 757 encountered turbulence and lightning activity, although the aircraft itself was not struck by lightning. Both the Captain and the Co-Pilot noted anomalies of their airspeed indicators. Once the aircraft cleared the turbulence and lightning, all indications returned to normal. The 757 continued on to Gatwick, where they landed without incident. In its statement, the NTSB noted that the AAIB investigation also includes similar events related to static buildup on airframes during certain atmospheric conditions.