Overview of the Incident and Immediate Actions
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has mandated urgent inspections of all Rolls Royce Trent XWB97 engines, which are exclusively fitted to Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. This directive follows an alarming incident involving a Cathay Pacific Airbus A350-1000, registered as B-LXI, on September 2, 2024. During a flight from Hong Kong to Zurich, the aircraft experienced an engine fire, prompting the crew to execute an emergency shutdown of the affected engine. The fire was successfully extinguished, and the aircraft safely returned to Hong Kong for an emergency landing.
Initial investigations pinpointed the cause of the fire to a damaged fuel manifold main fuel hose, a component common across all Rolls Royce Trent XWB97 engines installed on the A350-1000 model. This discovery has led to heightened scrutiny, with EASA’s airworthiness directive stipulating that inspections be performed by airline operators across the fleet.
Details of the EASA Directive and Inspection Protocols
The airworthiness directive issued by EASA requires a one-time on-wing inspection of the engines. The directive sets forth specific deadlines based on engine usage and maintenance history:
- Engines with 18,500 engine hours or more, or those having undergone two or more significant maintenance checks, must be inspected within three days of the directive issuance.
- Engines with 2,300 engine cycles or more, with a similar maintenance history, are also subject to the three-day inspection timeline.
- All other engines, irrespective of their hours or cycles but having undergone significant maintenance, must be inspected within seven days.
The directive underscores the urgency of these inspections, emphasizing the need for immediate compliance to ensure the continued safety and airworthiness of the fleet.
Broader Implications and Industry Response
The incident has raised concerns about the reliability of fuel hoses manufactured by Parker Aerospace, used in these engines. EASA has commenced a detailed investigation into the faulty fuel manifold hose involved in the Cathay Pacific incident, with findings expected to influence future manufacturing and quality control processes.
Following the directive, Cathay Pacific grounded its fleet of A350-1000s, with inspections and necessary replacements underway. The airline anticipates returning all its aircraft to service by September 7, 2024. Globally, other operators of the Airbus A350-1000 are also conducting inspections to comply with the EASA directive, affecting a total of 87 aircraft across eight carriers.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
This incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of stringent maintenance and inspection protocols in the aviation industry. The proactive measures taken by EASA and affected airlines aim to prevent similar incidents, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew. As investigations continue, the findings will likely lead to enhanced safety standards and practices, not only for the Rolls Royce Trent XWB97 engines but potentially influencing wider industry standards.