Cathay Pacific’s A350 Engine Defect Poses Risk of Extensive Damage, Say Hong Kong Investigators

Hong Kong aviation investigators have revealed that an engine defect discovered on Cathay Pacific’s Airbus A350 fleet earlier this month could have led to “extensive damage” if left unaddressed.

The issue came to light after a Zurich-bound Cathay Pacific flight was forced to return to Hong Kong shortly after takeoff on September 2, prompting the airline to ground its entire A350 fleet for inspections. Dozens of flights were cancelled as Cathay moved quickly to assess the situation.

While Cathay Pacific had initially pointed to an engine component failure, it did not specify the nature of the problem. However, the Hong Kong Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) has since provided further details. According to the AAIA’s preliminary report, investigators found “a discernible hole” in a fuel hose, along with black soot, indicating early signs of a fire. The fuel leak through the ruptured hose could have potentially triggered a fire capable of spreading to other engine parts.

“If not promptly detected and addressed, this situation, along with further failures, could escalate into a more serious engine fire, potentially causing extensive damage to the aircraft,” the AAIA warned. Burn marks were also discovered beneath the aircraft’s two reverse thrust systems, which are essential for slowing down planes upon landing.

The AAIA has recommended that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency work with Rolls-Royce, the manufacturer of the Trent XWB turbofan engines used by the A350, to develop ongoing safety information regarding the issue.

Following the incident, Cathay Pacific completed thorough inspections of its 48 A350 aircraft and replaced components in 15 of the jets to ensure safety. Both Cathay Pacific and Rolls-Royce have yet to comment on the AAIA’s findings.