Inspections Ordered on Airbus A350-1000 Engines

By Joanna Plucinska and Tim Hepher
LONDON/PARIS (Reuters) – The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ordered inspections on Airbus A350-1000 engines after a recent engine fire involving a Cathay Pacific jetliner.

EASA’s precautionary measure follows consultations with regulators and accident investigators in Hong Kong, as well as Airbus and engine supplier Rolls-Royce. EASA Executive Director Florian Guillermet stated, “This action is a precautionary measure, based on the information received from the initial investigation of the recent Cathay Pacific serious incident and on the airline’s findings in its own subsequent inspections.”

The inspection was triggered by a failure of a hose in the fuel system that led to a fire, controlled quickly by the crew. A “serious incident” in aviation denotes a high probability of an accident.

The directive affects the A350-1000 model, which constitutes 15% of the A350 fleet (86 jets), while the more popular A350-900 model is not impacted. EASA gave airlines between three and 30 days for visual checks and measurements on fuel hoses, avoiding the removal of parts unless damaged.

Rolls-Royce and Airbus confirmed their collaboration with authorities for compliance with the directive. They aimed to minimize disruption and expressed apologies to affected parties.

The A350-1000 and its XWB-97 engines gained attention after a Zurich-bound jet was forced to return to Hong Kong on Monday due to an engine issue traced back to a fuel leak. Initial reports indicated that a hose between the manifold and injection nozzle was compromised. EASA noted that the incident caused heat damage to the engine housing and emphasized that undetected conditions could lead to more severe incidents.

Despite prior skepticism from manufacturers about the need for global checks, EASA’s order highlights regulators’ authority to issue directives amidst increasing scrutiny following past safety crises. The decision also poses a public test for newly appointed EASA Executive Director Florian Guillermet.

In addressing the incident, Rolls-Royce emphasizes the importance of following technical procedures and standards while addressing questions from airlines concerning the affected aircraft and parts availability. The collaboration aims to ensure clarity and communication in the wake of passenger concerns.