EU Orders Emergency Inspections of Airbus A350s Following Engine Fire Incident
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has announced it will conduct emergency inspections of the Airbus A350 fleet after a significant engine fire incident involving a Cathay Pacific aircraft. The fire, linked to defective high-pressure fuel lines, occurred shortly after takeoff during a flight to Zurich on September 2. Although the aircraft, an A350-1000, managed to return to Hong Kong safely, EASA is taking precautionary measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Focus on A350-1000 Variant
EASA's inspection will primarily target the A350-1000 variant, which is equipped with the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engine. The agency has indicated that inspections may not affect the smaller A350-900 variant, which uses a different engine model. EASA is expected to release detailed instructions for airlines regarding the inspections and the timeline for their completion. Currently, only 86 A350-1000s are operational out of the 1,327 A350s ordered globally.
Impact on Cathay Pacific Operations
In the wake of the incident, Cathay Pacific canceled 90 flights and is working to return to normal operations by Saturday. The airline reported that 15 of its aircraft required replacement of engine fuel lines, with six already successfully repaired. The situation has raised concerns about the reliability of the Trent XWB-97 engines, prompting scrutiny from various aviation authorities. Rolls-Royce has defended the engines, committing to enhancements to their durability.
- The A350, which began deliveries in 2014, has become a cornerstone of Airbus's long-haul fleet, especially after the retirement of the A380 in 2021. With a capacity to carry nearly 500 passengers, the A350-1000 can fly long distances, making it a preferred choice for airlines like Qatar Airways and British Airways. However, incidents like the recent engine fire could impact customer confidence and future orders. The aviation industry is closely monitoring how EASA's inspections will unfold and what implications they may have for the A350's operational reliability.
