Cathay Pacific Flight Incident: Engine Fire and Emergency Landing

On September 2, a Cathay Pacific Airways Airbus A350 flight bound for Zurich had to return to Hong Kong after a fire was detected in one of its engines. The Hong Kong Air Accident Investigation Authority's report on the incident revealed that a defect in an engine component caused the fire.

• The defective component was a ruptured steel braided sheath of a fuel hose connecting to a fuel spray nozzle.
• The soot found on a section of the aircraft's core engine indicated signs of a fire.
• Five other fuel hoses in the Cathay jet were also found to have either frayed metal braids or collapsed structures.

Cathay Pacific's Response and Fleet Inspections

Following the incident, Cathay Pacific initiated a fleet-wide inspection of its Airbus A350 aircraft as a precautionary measure, clearing them for operation.

• The engine fire caused the cancellation of 70 Cathay Pacific flights.
• The carrier has a fleet of 48 Airbus A350 jets, which were inspected.
• Other airlines, such as Japan Airlines, also conducted inspections on their A350 models after the incident.

Recommendations and Airworthiness Directives

The report recommended that Rolls-Royce, the engine manufacturer for the A350, provide information and inspection requirements for the affected components to ensure their serviceability.

• The European Union's Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a directive requiring a one-time fleet inspection for some A350s.
• This directive was based on safety recommendations from the Hong Kong Air Accident Investigation Authority.

Potential Consequences and Aircraft Safety Concerns

The Hong Kong air safety authority stated that the defect in the engine component could have caused "extensive damage" to the aircraft if not promptly detected and repaired.

• The report highlighted the potential for the faulty component to escalate into a more serious engine fire.
• The incident raised concerns about aircraft maintenance, engine reliability, and flight safety.

Cathay Pacific's Acknowledgment and Cooperation

Cathay Pacific acknowledged the report and stated that it had immediately contacted the aircraft and engine manufacturers, as well as the regulator, following the incident.

• The airline cooperated with the investigation and took prompt actions to address the issue.
• Cathay Pacific emphasized its commitment to safety and thorough inspections of its A350 fleet.