The Civil Aviation Department (CAD), since receiving notification from Cathay Pacific Airways Limited (CPA) on September 2 about the engine component failure discovered on an A350 aircraft bound for Zurich earlier that day, has been actively following up the matter. Among others, the CAD has been maintaining close communication with CPA to provide regulatory advice. The CAD also took the initiative to approach and notify relevant entities, including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the civil aviation authority of the State of Design of the aircraft, as well as the manufacturers of the aircraft and engine concerned, and co-ordinate with CPA to provide inspection results and data of relevant engine components. The CAD also held an online meeting with the EASA on September 4 to discuss the investigation direction.
After the unremitting efforts of the CAD and CPA in facilitating and providing information on investigation and engine component inspection to the relevant authorities, the EASA this morning (on the night of September 5, European time) issued an emergency airworthiness directive requiring inspections of A350 aircraft powered by the specified model of engine. The directive is applicable to all airlines that operate A350 aircraft powered by relevant engines worldwide.
As CPA has taken the initiative to carry out precautionary measures earlier, the airline has already fulfilled the requirements of the directive.
The CAD attaches great importance to aviation safety and will ensure that all A350 aircraft flying into and out of Hong Kong comply with the relevant emergency airworthiness directive. The CAD will also continue to maintain close communication with the relevant parties, including the EASA and aircraft and engine manufacturers, and closely monitor the investigation progress to ensure follow-up actions are taken in a timely manner to safeguard aviation safety.
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