Airbus A350 fleet under inspection after engine part failure in Zurich

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) announced a precautionary inspection of part of the Airbus A350 fleet following an engine part failure during a Cathay Pacific flight to Zurich. The incident, which occurred on Monday, involved a fire caused by a failure in the fuel system, quickly managed by the crew. Investigations revealed that a flexible pipe feeding a fuel injection nozzle was pierced, prompting a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the failure. EASA's directive aims to identify and remove potentially compromised high-pressure fuel hoses from service. The inspections will likely focus on the A350-1000 model, which represents 15% of the A350 fleet, specifically its Rolls-Royce XWB-97 engines. The XWB-84 engine, used in the more common A350-900, is considered less likely to be included in these checks. The decision for inspections comes after initial resistance from manufacturers, who argued against the necessity of checks for the entire A350 fleet. However, the final decision rests with regulators, and EASA's actions mark a significant moment for its newly appointed Executive Director, Florian Guillermet. The incident has raised public concerns about air safety, putting pressure on both Rolls-Royce and airlines to ensure proper communication and maintenance procedures. Airlines have expressed frustration over the lack of clarity from Airbus and Rolls-Royce, as they face inquiries from passengers regarding safety measures. The situation underscores the importance of effective communication and adherence to safety protocols in the aviation industry, especially following incidents that could impact public confidence.