Hong Kong aviation authorities have raised concerns about a potential engine defect in Cathay Pacific’s Airbus A350 fleet, which could result in extensive damage if not properly addressed. Earlier this month, Cathay grounded its entire fleet of A350 aircraft to inspect for engine issues, following an incident on a Zurich-bound flight.
Flights Grounded Due to Engine Fault
In early September, Cathay Pacific canceled multiple flights after an A350 flight to Zurich had to return to Hong Kong shortly after takeoff due to an engine problem. The airline reported a component failure but did not disclose specific details about the issue at the time.
Investigation Reveals Fuel Hose Defect
On September 19, Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) released preliminary findings. Investigators discovered a hole in the fuel hose of the affected plane, along with signs of a fire, indicated by black soot. The AAIA warned that the leak could lead to a fire spreading to other parts of the engine.
“If not promptly detected and addressed, this situation could escalate into a serious engine fire, potentially causing extensive damage to the aircraft,” the report stated.
Possible Fire Risk Identified
Further investigation found burn marks beneath the aircraft’s two reverse thrust systems, which are used to slow the plane after landing. The AAIA recommended that Rolls-Royce, the manufacturer of the Trent XWB engines used in the A350, provide updated airworthiness information to address the issue.
Cathay Replaces Components Across Fleet
Cathay Pacific inspected its fleet of 48 Airbus A350s and replaced components on 15 of the planes following the incident. The A350 family of aircraft is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB turbofan engines.