Faulty Engine Component Threatened Major Damage to Cathay Pacific Airbus A350
A recent report by Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority has uncovered a potentially disastrous defect in a Cathay Pacific Airways Airbus A350. The incident, which occurred on September 2, involved a fire in an engine component that forced a Zurich-bound flight to make an emergency return to Hong Kong. The investigation pinpointed a ruptured steel braided sheath on a fuel hose connecting to a fuel spray nozzle as the primary concern.
According to the authority, had this defect not been detected and addressed promptly, it could have led to extensive damage to the aircraft through a severe engine fire. The preliminary findings also reported soot accumulation in the aircraft’s core engine, indicative of the early stages of a fire. Additional inspections revealed similar issues with five other fuel hoses on the same jet, exhibiting frayed metal braids or structural collapses.
This critical situation prompted Cathay Pacific to cancel 70 flights and initiate thorough inspections across its fleet of 48 Airbus A350 jets. The issue also resonated with other airlines; for instance, Japan Airlines undertook inspections of similar aircraft models in their fleet as a precaution.
In response to these findings, the report advised Rolls-Royce, the manufacturer of the Trent XWB-84 and XWB-97 engines used in A350 jets, to enhance the inspection protocols of the affected components. Following the incident and upon recommendations from the Hong Kong authority, the European Union’s Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a directive for a mandatory one-time inspection of certain A350 fleets to safeguard against similar risks.
Related news: https://airguide.info/?s=Cathay+Pacific, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/aircraft-finance/aircraft-supplier/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, thehill.com