Problem 'involved' engine fuel nozzle

Reuters and Wallis Wang

The engine component failure of flight CX383 involved a problem with a fuel nozzle inside an XWB-97 engine, the Rolls-Royce model used on the A350-1000, a person familiar with the matter said.

The problem unfolded several minutes after take-off on the flight from Hong Kong to Zurich on Monday, according to flight tracking service FlightRadar24.

The five-year-old A350-1000 plane performed two wide circles and dumped fuel over the sea before returning to Hong Kong where it landed safely about 75 minutes after takeoff.

Cathay said it identified a component failure in an engine that is made by British manufacturer Rolls-Royce after the aircraft returned.

The Airbus A350 is a twin-aisle long-haul aircraft that can carry between 300 and 480 passengers.

It comes in two sizes: the A350-900 and the larger A350-1000, both powered exclusively by Rolls-Royce engines.

Cathay said the incident occurred on one of its 18 A350-1000 planes, which use Trent XWB-97 engines, Rolls-Royce's largest civil jet engine.

Rolls-Royce yesterday noted the replacement could take place while the engine remained on-wing.

It also said it was committed to working closely with Cathay Pacific, Airbus and authorities conducting an investigation into the incident.

There are 88 A350-1000 jets in operation worldwide, according to Swiss aviation intelligence provider ch-aviation.

The top six operators are Qatar Airways with 24 planes, Cathay with 18, British Airways with 18, Virgin Atlantic with 12 and Etihad Airways and Japan Airlines with five each.

Warren Chim Wing-nin, vice chairman of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers Aircraft Division, said it is a responsible act to ground A350 flights as it takes time for the airline to procure components.

"[The airline] has reported the incident to the aircraft manufacturer and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, which is responsible for aircraft design. They would then review and assess the impact of the component failure," he said.

Chim said the planes will undergo safety tests again after changing components so passengers need not worry.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com