Europe Regulator Mandates Inspections on Airbus A350-1000 Engines, According to Reuters

Inspections Ordered for Airbus A350-1000 Engines Following Engine Fire Incident

By Joanna Plucinska and Tim Hepher

LONDON/PARIS – Europe’s aviation safety authority has mandated inspections on the engines of Airbus A350-1000 jets following an engine fire incident involving a Cathay Pacific aircraft.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) announced its decision as a preventative measure to avert similar occurrences, following consultations with regulators and accident investigators from Hong Kong, where Cathay Pacific is headquartered, as well as officials from Airbus and Rolls-Royce, the engine supplier.

"This action is a precautionary measure, based on information received from the initial investigation of the recent serious incident involving Cathay Pacific and the airline’s findings during its own inspections," stated EASA Executive Director Florian Guillermet.

EASA confirmed that the fire was caused by a failure in a fuel system hose, which the crew managed to extinguish rapidly. In aviation terminology, a "serious incident" indicates a significant risk of an accident.

Guillermet added, "We will continue to monitor all information available through the ongoing safety investigation."

The directive specifically impacts the A350-1000 model, which constitutes 15% of the A350 fleet, totaling 86 jets. The smaller A350-900 model, which is more widely used, is not affected.

In an emergency directive issued late Thursday, EASA has provided airlines a timeframe of three to 30 days to conduct visual inspections and measurements of the fuel hoses. The directive does not require any parts to be removed unless damage is found. It also exempts engines that have already undergone inspection by Cathay.

Both Rolls-Royce and Airbus confirmed that they are collaborating closely with authorities to fulfill the directive. Rolls-Royce emphasized its commitment to minimizing any immediate disruptions and extended apologies to those impacted.

The A350-1000 and its XWB-97 engines have come under scrutiny since a Zurich-bound flight was forced to return to Hong Kong due to engine issues linked to a fuel leak. Initial reports indicated that a hose connecting a manifold to a fuel injection nozzle was compromised, and investigations are ongoing to determine whether this was the root cause of or a reaction to the incident.

EASA noted that the fire resulted in heat damage to the engine housing, including components associated with reverse-thrust during landing. They cautioned that, if not identified and addressed, this issue could escalate into more severe engine fires and potential aircraft damage.

Reports earlier indicated that EASA’s directive likely entails a visual inspection with flexible deadlines, a relatively straightforward maintenance task. However, the agency’s action partially countered efforts by manufacturers to avoid widespread inspections based on their technical analyses.

While manufacturers generally perform much of the groundwork for regulatory instructions and play vital roles in global fleet monitoring, regulatory bodies have the authority to enforce their inspections. There has been growing pressure on regulators to demonstrate independence, especially following recent safety crises in the aviation industry.

Thursday’s ruling is seen as a significant test for EASA’s newly appointed Executive Director, Florian Guillermet. Although the incident was swiftly contained without any injuries, the implications of how it is managed remain critical for Rolls-Royce and airlines, given public concerns regarding air safety.

The directive resulted from extensive discussions about key technical language related to the criteria for part replacements. Rolls-Royce is keen to ensure that repair decisions are guided by technical requirements rather than external pressures, and is likely to urge airlines to adhere strictly to correct procedures after a series of ad hoc inspections.

Airlines have been seeking clarity from both Rolls-Royce and Airbus and some have privately expressed frustration over the insufficient communication, especially as they navigate inquiries from passengers. On Thursday, Airbus and Rolls-Royce aimed to address the airlines’ concerns during closed briefings, discussing which planes would be affected and the availability of necessary parts.