Aviation
Commercial /
Europe
for the A350
Easa issues Airworthiness Directive for increased fire risk in 13 units
Airbus A350
Image: Airbus
Rafael Ramos
12/8/2021
Yesterday, December 6, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued an airworthiness directive (AD) for 13 aircraft of the Airbus A350 model. The directive deals with the incorrect installation of Expanded Copper Foil (ECF), a material that offers protection against lightning.
According to Easa, the ECF may not be properly installed on the wings of these 13 A350 units. In this way, a series of events need to happen for there to be a security risk. If an electrical discharge reaches the area where a fastener is installed incorrectly, the fuel vapor could start a fire, which would cause loss of lift, putting the aircraft at risk.
The issue affects 10 different airlines. The aircraft were delivered between 2016 and 2020.
AD requires inspections and repairs, but Easa does not require any units to be grounded because of the problem.
The Airbus plane faces another problem with the paintwork, which wears out prematurely, leaving some parts of the fuselage exposed. In August, Qatar Airways landed 13 units of the aircraft due to paint problems. Easa has shown no intention of taking any action. However, other companies (Cathay Pacific, Etihad, Lufthansa, Air France and Finnair) have also voiced their complaints about the problem.
According to the Simple Flying website, Airbus said AD is a normal continuing airworthiness process. As for the painting problems, he said he understands the causes of the problem and is working together with Easa to solve it. The company also said that the airworthiness of the model is not affected by the problems.
Airbus A350 XWB
Image: Airbus
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Rafael Ramos
Aviation enthusiast from an early age, he had his first contacts with the area developing that good old habit of spending dozens of hours in front of the screens of Micrsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators. With a solid background in various technological areas, including engineering and chemistry, Rafael has rejoined aviation as editor and author of articles and materials on our portal, providing invaluable help to the dynamics and expansion of the website and the aeronautical community, bringing us the news and updates so indispensable for us to remain current in our area of operation.
   
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