Latest report states insect infestation grounded several planes at the Heathrow airport last year

As much as 8 planes were unable to take off from London’s airport due to insect infestation last year’s July, according to a recently issued report, as wasp and bee nests inside pitot probes caused blockage leading to the grounding of the crafts.

 

“A Boeing 777-300, G-STBJ, parked on stand TA6, was found to have its right pitot probe blocked by an insect, suspected to be a bee or wasp,” the new report states.

According to data from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AIIB), 7 British Airways and one Virgin Atlantic planes were affected by the incidents.

The take-offs were cancelled, as a result of authorities aiming to avoid serious hazard for both crew and passengers.

Officials expect that the “larger number of insects emerging in the spring of 2022” will increase the risk for more similar issues leading to cancellations directed to maintain flight safety. In order to avoid future flight disruptions, aircrafts will be monitored and intensive habitat management techniques will be applied.

“With the move towards ‘greener’ aviation, this may become even more important in the future,” the report quotes.

Environmental factors, such as low air quality due to pollution, and the pandemics were considered to be the root-cause of the problem.

“A disrupted natural habitat can make it harder for solitary bees and wasps to find suitable locations to nest and is likely to result in them adapting whatever is available to them to use in urban areas.”

Moreover, according to the same AAIB report, longer grounding of planes during the coronavirus pandemic led to an “attractive opportunity” for the insects to find an “ideal construction site for nests” inside the pitot probes.

Source: www.euronews.com