Hong Kong aviation investigators have reported that an engine problem led Cathay Pacific to temporarily halt operations of its entire Airbus A350 fleet for inspection earlier this month.
The issue, which could have resulted in significant damage, prompted the airline to cancel numerous flights.
Cathay Pacific Engine Fire Linked to Cleaning
On September 2, a Cathay Pacific flight bound for Zurich had to return to Hong Kong shortly after takeoff due to an engine malfunction. Following this incident, the airline announced the need for inspections across its fleet of A350 aircraft.
While Cathay Pacific acknowledged an engine component failure on the affected flight, it did not disclose specific details about the issue, as per CNN.
However, the Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) of Hong Kong reported the discovery of a "discernible hole" in a fuel hose during its inspection. This damage was accompanied by black soot, indicating signs of a fire.
According to the AAIA, the damaged fuel hose posed a serious risk. They noted that fuel could leak from the hose, potentially igniting and causing a fire that could spread to surrounding parts of the engine.
They warned that if the problem was not quickly identified and resolved, it could escalate into a severe engine fire, leading to significant damage to the aircraft.
Further inspection revealed burn marks beneath the aircraft's two reverse thrust systems, which help slow down the plane after landing. The AAIA has recommended that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) require Rolls-Royce, the engine manufacturer, to provide ongoing information about the airworthiness of the A350 jets.
Airbus A350 Engine Issue
In response to the incident, Cathay Pacific conducted thorough inspections of its fleet of 48 A350 aircraft. As a result, components were replaced on 15 of those planes. The A350 family includes two models, both powered by different Trent XWB turbofan engines made by Rolls-Royce.
The engine issue has had wide-ranging effects, leading to the cancellation of around 70 flights for Cathay Pacific. Other airlines, such as Japan Airlines, have also initiated inspections on similar aircraft models in their fleets to ensure safety.
A report published on Thursday (September 19) called on Rolls-Royce to provide information regarding the inspection needs of the affected components to ensure their reliability.
Following the incident, EASA mandated a one-time inspection for certain A350 aircraft based on safety recommendations from the AAIA, according to AP News.
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