The recent engine fire incident on a Cathay Pacific flight has raised serious safety concerns in the operation of Airbus A350 wide-body jets. This has prompted the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to mandate inspections on part of the A350 fleet for potential risks.
Following the engine failure incident on a Cathay Pacific flight, EASA issued an emergency directive requiring inspections on A350-1000 aircraft powered by XWB-97 engines. This directive aims to address the high pressure fuel hose failure that led to an in-flight engine fire shortly after take-off.
Rolls-Royce, the manufacturer of the engines on Cathay’s A350s, has initiated a one-time precautionary engine inspection program in collaboration with the EU agency. The inspections are focused on checking for damage to fuel hose connections inside the engines of A350-1000 airplanes.
The EASA directive impacts the 86 A350-1000 airplanes powered by XWB-97 engines currently in service worldwide. While the move does not affect the A350-900 model, with 526 planes in operation, airlines globally have been prompted to carry out similar checks on their A350-900 and A350-1000 models.
Airbus and Rolls-Royce have notified airlines that only A350-1000s powered by XWB-97 engines are affected by the safety issue. However, there are growing concerns about the durability of these engines, especially after previous comments by Emirates airlines CEO Tim Clark.
Despite the safety challenges, Airbus A350 remains a popular choice among airlines with more than 1,300 orders placed. With several airlines operating the A350-1000 version for long-haul flights, the need for stringent safety protocols and inspections is paramount to ensure passenger safety and confidence.
The recent engine fire incident on a Cathay Pacific flight has highlighted the importance of stringent safety measures in the operation of Airbus A350 aircraft. The collaboration between EASA, airlines, and engine manufacturers to conduct thorough inspections and address potential risks is crucial to maintaining the safety and reliability of these wide-body jets. As the aviation industry continues to evolve, ensuring the highest safety standards is essential to instill confidence in passengers and uphold the reputation of Airbus A350 jets.
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