Malaysia Airlines announced on 6 September that it had identified a “potential issue” with the engine of an Airbus A350-900 aircraft in its fleet, which has since been resolved. This follows an emergency airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on 5 September, requiring A350-1000 operators to inspect fuel manifold hoses on the aircraft’s Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines.
Background
The issue came to light after a Trent XWB-97 engine caught fire on a Cathay Pacific A350-1000 flight to Zurich on 2 September, due to a high-pressure fuel hose failure. The fire was quickly detected and extinguished, and the flight returned to Hong Kong. Subsequently, Cathay Pacific began inspecting its entire A350 fleet, leading to flight cancellations and grounding multiple A350s.
Cathay Pacific engine fire
The engine fire on the Cathay Pacific flight underscored the urgency of the EASA directive. The incident prompted Cathay Pacific to inspect all 48 of its A350 aircraft, resulting in significant operational disruptions. “Safety is our utmost priority,” a Cathay Pacific spokesperson said. “We are taking all necessary measures to ensure the integrity of our fleet.”
A350-900 aircraft cleared for service
In contrast, the A350-900 aircraft, which are powered by the Trent XWB-84 engine, were not subject to the same mandatory inspections. EASA clarified on 6 September that the XWB-84 engine’s design and service history did not warrant the same level of scrutiny. Nevertheless, Malaysia Airlines conducted a precautionary inspection of its A350-900 fleet. “During this inspection, a potential issue with high-pressure fuel hoses on one aircraft was identified and swiftly resolved,” Malaysia Airlines told AFP. The aircraft has since been fully cleared for service following stringent maintenance protocols.
Implications for the aviation industry
The recent engine issues highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the aviation industry in maintaining safety standards. The EASA’s directive and the subsequent actions by airlines like Cathay Pacific and Malaysia Airlines underscore the importance of rigorous maintenance and inspection protocols. Future implications could include more frequent inspections and potential design reviews for aircraft engines to prevent similar incidents.
The aviation sector continues to navigate these challenges, ensuring passenger safety remains paramount. As airlines adapt to these new directives, the industry will likely see enhanced safety measures and possibly new regulatory requirements to mitigate risks associated with engine failures.
