Cathay Pacific A350-1000 Fire Prompts Global Inspections

A serious incident involving a Cathay Pacific Airbus A350-1000 on September 2, 2024, prompted an emergency turnback to Hong Kong due to an engine fire caused by a ruptured fuel hose. Investigations by Hong Kong's Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) revealed that the rupture in the fuel hose, along with five other defective hoses, could have led to extensive damage if not promptly addressed. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) responded by issuing airworthiness directives for engine inspections across various Airbus A350 models, including the Trent XWB-97 engines used by Cathay. This incident led to the grounding and inspection of Cathay's A350 fleet and raised concerns about the safety of Rolls-Royce engines used globally in these aircraft. Following the incident, other airlines, including Japan Airlines, conducted similar inspections. EASA's directive aims to prevent future occurrences by mandating checks and discontinuing certain cleaning processes during engine refurbishment.