Cathay Pacific Airways (00293): Strictly comply with EASA emergency airworthiness directives and fully cooperate with investigations.

Earlier this month, a Cathay Pacific Airways (00293) Airbus A350 caught fire in its engine while flying to Zurich. Cathay Pacific stated that after the incident, they immediately notified the aircraft and engine manufacturer, the civil aviation accident investigation agency, and the civil aviation department. As a precaution, Cathay Pacific also proactively inspected all its A350 aircraft to ensure they can operate safely. Cathay Pacific has also strictly complied with the emergency airworthiness directive mentioned in the preliminary report of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) by the civil aviation accident investigation agency. Cathay Pacific will continue to fully cooperate with the aircraft and engine manufacturer, the civil aviation accident investigation agency, and the civil aviation department in their investigation. It is understood that a Cathay Pacific Airways Airbus A350 caught fire in its engine earlier this month while flying to Zurich, requiring it to return and land, with no injuries in this incident. In response to this event, Cathay Pacific Airways had stated that this engine component failure on the A350 aircraft was the first of its kind globally. The engineering team thoroughly inspected all 15 operational A350 aircraft within 24 hours and found that 15 of them required engine component replacements. On September 19, the Hong Kong civil aviation accident investigation agency released the preliminary investigation report, indicating that if not detected and handled in time, the engine fire could escalate into a more serious situation causing extensive damage to the aircraft. The preliminary report pointed out that the steel braided sleeve of the secondary fuel manifold hose of engine number 2 was found to have ruptured, leading to fires and heat damage inside multiple areas. It was also mentioned that the pilot had reported a MAYDAY emergency situation but later downgraded it. The report further indicated that the rupture of the steel braided sleeve of the secondary fuel manifold hose of engine number 2, leading to a noticeable hole in the hose, with fires and heat damage occurring in various areas inside. It is possible that fuel leaked from the hose, combined with other factors such as oxygen and a heat source, causing the fire to spread. Failure to detect and handle it promptly could have led to a more serious fire, causing extensive damage to the aircraft. Cathay Pacific Airways stated that they are aware of the preliminary report issued by the Hong Kong civil aviation accident investigation agency. Cathay Pacific emphasized that after the incident, they not only notified the aircraft and engine manufacturer and relevant agencies but also immediately inspected all their A350 aircraft to ensure they can operate safely. They have also strictly complied with the emergency airworthiness directive mentioned in the preliminary report by the Hong Kong civil aviation accident investigation agency, and will continue to fully cooperate with the relevant manufacturers, the agency, and the civil aviation department in their investigation.