The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has called for immediate inspections on Airbus A350-1000 engines following an engine fire on a Cathay Pacific flight. The fire occurred during a Zurich-bound flight, which was forced to return to Hong Kong on Monday after an engine warning. Cathay Pacific’s crew quickly contained the fire, but the incident has raised concerns about potential risks for other aircraft in the same model range.
According to Reuters, EASA announced that the inspections are a precautionary step taken after consulting with regulators and accident investigators in Hong Kong, as well as Airbus and Rolls-Royce, the engine supplier. Florian Guillermet, EASA’s Executive Director, explained that the action stems from initial findings from Cathay Pacific’s investigation and further inspections conducted by the airline. The directive aims to prevent a repeat of the “serious incident,” a term used in aviation to indicate a high probability of an accident.
According to the directive, airlines will need to perform visual checks and measurements on the fuel hoses within three to 30 days, depending on the condition of each aircraft. While no parts need to be removed unless damage is found, EASA has excluded engines that have already been inspected by Cathay Pacific.
Engine Failure Linked to Fuel System Malfunction
Investigations have revealed that a failure in the fuel system, specifically a pierced hose between a manifold and fuel injection nozzle, led to the fire. This caused heat damage to the engine housing, including parts of the reverse-thrust system. Although no passengers or crew were injured, EASA emphasized that this failure, if undetected, could lead to a more severe engine fire, increasing the potential for significant damage to the aircraft.
EASA’s emergency directive focuses on the larger A350-1000 model, which comprises around 15% of the global A350 fleet, or 86 jets. The smaller, more widely used A350-900 model is not affected by this directive.
Rolls-Royce and Airbus Respond
Both Rolls-Royce and Airbus are cooperating with the inspections. Rolls-Royce, in particular, has apologized for the disruption caused and is working to minimize any short-term operational impacts for airlines. The engine manufacturer has been closely involved in ensuring that safety measures are taken, but the final decision on the inspections rested with regulators, following consultations with manufacturers.
Airlines have raised concerns about the communication process, with some expressing frustration over the lack of clarity from Rolls-Royce and Airbus. During closed briefings held on Thursday, questions were raised about which aircraft would be affected by the inspections and the availability of replacement parts if required.
While manufacturers typically handle the technical groundwork for regulatory guidelines, this incident has placed pressure on regulators to act independently and ensure that safety standards are met. This marks the first major public test for EASA’s recently appointed Executive Director Florian Guillermet.
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