Cathay’s Airbus A350 engine fault risked ‘extensive damage’, major fires: Hong Kong probe
Authorities urge European aviation body to demand that manufacturer Rolls-Royce impose inspection requirements for such engine parts
The city’s Air Accident Investigation Authority urged the European aviation authority to demand that manufacturer Rolls-Royce impose inspection requirements for such engine components.
“This serious incident illustrates the potential for fuel leaks through the ruptured secondary fuel manifold hose, which could result in engine fires. Therefore, swift action is warranted,” the Hong Kong authority said.
The report, released on Thursday, detailed the results of an examination conducted after the engine of a Zurich-bound Cathay Pacific flight caught fire earlier this month, forcing the plane to return to Hong Kong following take-off.
The engine component failure led to the grounding of the flag carrier’s entire 48-strong fleet of Airbus A350 aircraft, the cancellation of nearly 100 flights and global scrutiny by the aviation industry after Cathay said the fault involving Rolls-Royce’s Trent XWB-97 engine was the first of its kind.
The report said five additional secondary fuel manifold hoses were found to have either frayed metal braids or collapsed internal structures. The details confirmed the Post’s earlier reports that multiple fuel lines in the engine were deformed, leading to a fuel leakage that caused the brief fire.
