How can a pilot detect and verify a pitot-static system failure on a narrowbody?

• A. A single, momentary warning light on the ECAM.
• B. Inconsistent or erroneous airspeed or altitude readings and VSI; verify with standby instruments to confirm a failure.
• C. Pitot-static failure is never a concern on narrowbody.
• D. The autopilot automatically reverts to wing-level mode.

Answer: (B)

Pitot-static data drives the airspeed indicator, altimeter, and vertical speed indicator. When part of that system is blocked or leaking, those readings can become unreliable and diverge from the actual flight conditions. The reliable way to detect and verify this is to cross-check with standby instruments, which derive data from independent sources or an alternate path. If the main airspeed, altitude, and VSI readings are inconsistent while the standby instruments show plausible values, you’ve confirmed a pitot-static fault. If the standby readings agree with the main ones, the issue is more likely an instrument or display fault rather than a pitot-static failure. A single warning light isn’t enough to diagnose the problem, and autopilot behavior isn’t a dependable detection method for pitot-static faults.