The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has mandated inspections of Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines fitted to A350-1000s as a precautionary measure in the wake of an incident that took place during a Cathay Pacific (CX, Hong Kong International) flight en-route from Hong Kong to Zurich on September 2.

The regulator has ordered a phased, one-off inspection of flexible fuel hose connections inside the engines to check for damage which must be completed within the next month. The ch-aviation fleets module shows there are eighty-seven Trent XWB-97-powered A350-1000s in service with Air Caraibes Atlantique, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, French Bee, JAL - Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Virgin Atlantic.

In a statement to ch-aviation, Qatar Airways, the largest A350 operator, confirmed it had received an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) from EASA and Rolls Royce. “The inspections are being conducted as a precautionary measure to ensure the continued safety and security of our passengers, which remains our highest priority,” it said.

Cathay Pacific reported that 15 of its eighteen A350-1000s were affected by the engine issue. These aircraft were due to be inspected and cleared for service by September 7.

However, the issue seems to extend beyond the Trent XWB-97-powered A350-1000. Malaysia Airlines, which operates a fleet of seven A350-900s powered with Trent XWB-84 engines, reported a defect in high-pressure fuel hoses during a recent preventive inspection. In a statement to Aviation Week, Malaysia Airlines confirmed the issue was swiftly resolved and the aircraft cleared for service.

In its September 5 press release, EASA said: The “Trent XWB-84 engines installed on the A350-900 are similar but differ in design and service history. On the basis of the available information, an extension of the measures to these engines is not warranted at this stage.” The regulator said it is in contact with all relevant parties and evaluating all available data. A total of 525 A350-900s are powered by the Trent XWB-84 engine.