Hong Kong: Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) has investigated whether an engine fire on a Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 was caused by a fuel leak which in turn warned about the aircraft’s safety.
The incident occurred shortly after takeoff from Hong Kong on a flight bound for Zurich, ensuring the airline to ground several planes for further inspection.The fire broke out in the Trent XWB-97 engine, manufactured by British engineering company Rolls-Royce. Investigators reported that the fire resulted from a damaged fuel hose which was found during the inspection of the engine. The aircraft, carrying 348 passengers and crew, returned to Hong Kong after the pilots shut down the engine and deployed fire extinguishers.
The AAIA report remarked the potential for catastrophic damage had the fuel leak not been detected. The report stated that, “This situation could have escalated into a more serious engine fire, potentially causing severe damage to the aircraft.”
Upon several investigations, five additional defective fuel hoses were discovered in the same engine. Rolls-Royce and Cathay Pacific have been contacted for comment but have yet to release a formal response.
Following the incident, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued an “Emergency Airworthiness Directive,” instructing operators using the same type of engine to conduct inspections and replace any compromised fuel pipes. The issue is currently limited to the Trent XWB-97 variant, which is used in a smaller number of long-range Airbus A350s.
Cathay Pacific has operated the Airbus A350 since 2016, with the aircraft becoming the base of its long-haul fleet due to its efficiency and reduced operating costs. Rolls-Royce, which developed the Trent XWB engine specifically for the A350, has faced scrutiny over the reliability of the engine, especially after further problems were discovered in other aircraft.
Despite initial concerns, the fault was isolated to the external fuel lines, and a major redesign of the engine itself was not necessary. Rolls-Royce has also pledged significant investments to improve its range of engines, including the Trent XWB-97. However, the incident has lightened concerns about the durability of the engines and the cost of maintenance, a point previously raised by Tim Clark, CEO of Emirates, in 2023.
Cathay Pacific and Rolls-Royce are now working closely to raise the issue, as the airline continues to inspect and correct affected aircraft.
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