An engine fire on a Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 earlier this month, caused by a fuel leak, could have led to significant damage, investigators warn. The incident occurred shortly after the aircraft took off from Hong Kong en route to Zurich, forcing the pilots to shut down the engine and activate fire extinguishers. Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely back in Hong Kong with 348 passengers and crew on board.
A preliminary report from Hong Kong's Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) indicated that the fire was caused by a broken fuel hose, one of several that had been compromised. The engine involved, a Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97, raised immediate safety concerns about Cathay Pacific's A350 fleet, especially after inspections revealed issues with an additional 15 aircraft.
The report revealed that the protective covering of a fuel hose had ruptured, leaving a noticeable hole, with soot and burn marks indicating signs of fire within the engine. Further examinations found that five other fuel hoses in the same engine were also defective. If left unchecked, this situation could have escalated into a more serious fire, potentially resulting in extensive damage to the aircraft.
In response, the AAIA recommended that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) develop new inspection protocols for the affected engines. Following the incident, EASA issued an "Emergency Airworthiness Directive," mandating operators using the same engine type to inspect fuel lines and remove any that were deemed 'potentially compromised.'
Cathay Pacific's first Airbus A350 was delivered in 2016, and the aircraft has become a staple in long-haul airline fleets globally, primarily due to its high efficiency and low operating costs. The Trent XWB engine was designed specifically for the A350, and concerns about a potential systemic issue could have posed significant challenges for Rolls-Royce.
However, it soon became clear that the problems were confined to the fuel lines rather than the engine's core components, allowing for a relatively quick resolution without the need for costly redesigns. Notably, the issue affected only the XWB-97 variant, which is used on a limited number of long-range aircraft.
This year, Rolls-Royce announced plans for substantial investment in improving its engine lineup, including the Trent XWB-97. Concerns about the engine's durability and maintenance costs had previously been voiced by industry figures, including Tim Clark, president of Emirates airline.
As the investigation continues, both Cathay Pacific and Rolls-Royce remain under scrutiny to ensure the safety and reliability of their aircraft moving forward.
Comments