Malaysia Airlines Resolves Potential Issue with A350-900 Engine Amid EASA Directive

On Friday, September 6, 2024, Malaysia Airlines announced that it had identified and resolved a “potential issue” with the engine of one of its Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The airline assured the public that the issue had been addressed and the aircraft was cleared for service following stringent maintenance protocols. This announcement comes in the wake of a recent European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) directive that mandated inspections on Airbus A350-1000s equipped with Rolls-Royce XWB-97 engines. The directive was prompted by a significant incident involving Cathay Pacific, where an in-flight engine fire occurred on one of its Zurich-bound flights.

According to Malaysia Airlines, the potential issue was detected during a routine precautionary inspection of its fleet. The problem, which involved high-pressure fuel hoses, was swiftly resolved, ensuring the aircraft’s compliance with safety standards. The airline emphasized that this was a precautionary measure and that no further action was deemed necessary at this stage.

The EASA had initially issued an emergency directive focusing on the XWB-97 engines used in A350-1000 models after an engine failure on a Cathay Pacific flight. The failure was attributed to a malfunctioning high-pressure fuel hose, leading to an in-flight fire that was quickly extinguished. In response to this incident, airlines with A350-1000s were instructed to conduct mandatory inspections of their XWB-97 engines. However, the EASA has clarified that extending these inspections to include the XWB-84 engines, which power Malaysia Airlines’ A350-900 fleet, is not currently warranted based on available information.

The European aircraft manufacturer Airbus also weighed in on the matter. An Airbus spokesperson confirmed that the EASA directive is specific to the XWB-97 engine and does not extend to the XWB-84 engines. The spokesperson stated that while further discoveries might emerge as investigations continue, the current directive limits inspections to the XWB-97 engines.

In light of these developments, other airlines in the region have undertaken similar precautionary checks on their A350-900 and A350-1000 models. The EASA’s decision not to mandate additional inspections for the XWB-84 engines reflects the agency’s assessment that the issue is specific to the XWB-97 engines. Rolls-Royce, the manufacturer of both engine types, has announced a “one-time precautionary engine inspection program” that may apply to a portion of the A350 fleet, further ensuring the safety of aircraft operations.

The A350 aircraft, introduced in 2014, is Airbus’s largest model following the cessation of the A380 production. The A350-1000, the largest variant, can accommodate nearly 500 passengers and has a range of over 16,000 kilometers, with future modifications extending this range further. Malaysia Airlines operates seven A350-900s with XWB-84 engines, all of which have been inspected as part of the precautionary measures.

Malaysia Airlines reiterated its commitment to safety and reliability, emphasizing that the well-being of its passengers and crew is a top priority. The carrier’s proactive approach in resolving the potential issue highlights its adherence to high maintenance and safety standards, aligning with industry practices to ensure continued safe operations.

As the investigation into the Cathay Pacific incident and the associated inspections continue, the aviation community remains vigilant. The EASA’s directive and the subsequent actions by airlines and engine manufacturers underscore the industry’s commitment to addressing safety concerns promptly and effectively.

While Malaysia Airlines has addressed a potential issue with its A350-900 fleet, the broader implications for aircraft safety and maintenance are being closely monitored. The airline’s swift resolution of the issue and the EASA’s current stance on engine inspections reflect a coordinated effort to maintain high safety standards across the aviation industry.