The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a preliminary warning that
patches of the anti-lightning system may have been poorly fitted on over a dozen Airbus
A350 jets after major American carrier Delta Air Lines revealed it also faced “paint
issues”.
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And in today's video, we are going to talk about “Again A Big Mistake A350.”
So without any further ado, Let's begin.
According to the proposed airworthiness directive (AD), Heavy Expanded Copper Foil (HECF), which
is used to safely disperse lightning strikes when needed, might have been installed incorrectly
on the wing covers of 13 Airbus A350-941 and A350-1014 aircraft.
It comes a week after Airbus spokesperson Stefan Schaffrath told Bloomberg the planemaker
is considering changing to a more flexible material called a perforated copper foil.
“Some dimensions of the issue are still being investigated,” Schaffrath said.
“We’re also addressing the root causes as part of continuous improvement so we will
install solutions going forward.”
The call for checks comes as Airbus is locked in a dispute with the biggest A350 buyer,
Qatar Airways, over what Airbus has called a "surface paint" issue and the airline describes
as problems under the paint, affecting the ECF and composite shell.
EASA has said it has found no evidence of any airworthiness problem, while Qatar Airways
says this has yet to be proven.
It has grounded 20 of its 53 A350s as skin damage appears, saying it is acting on the
orders of its own regulator.
Sure airways had been elevating considerations about A350 constructions over a previous couple
of years.
Particularly, Qatar Airlines grounded 13 of its devices in August, prompting the go back
of the Airbus A380 to its services and products.
The likes of Cathay Pacific, Etihad, Lufthansa, Air France, and Finnair have additionally
complained about comparable problems.
Moreover, Reuters additionally stocks that Delta Air Strains has lately discovered issues
of considering one of its devices.
The Atlanta-based provider expressed that it’s the first time it has witnessed problems
on a restricted scale.
Finnair to start with reported troubles referring to ECF coverage in 2019.
Airbus has since shown that this incident used to be a remoted manufacturing factor
and has been fastened.
Al Baker has since ruled out buying freighters from Airbus, effectively closing a potential
deal with rival company Boeing.
The 13 A350s were delivered between 2016 and 2020 and represent just 3% of the fleet, but
are operated by 10 airlines or 28% of the number of carriers currently flying the long-haul
jet, according to Airbus data and online database Airfleets.
Delta declined to comment on specific jets but said for the first time that it had seen
problems on a limited scale.
"We have not yet experienced any significant paint issues on our A350 aircraft," a spokesperson
said, adding it was in discussions with Airbus on the issue.
The Gulf airline is calling for USD 618 million in contractual compensation fromAirbus over
the partial grounding, plus USD 4 million for each day the 21 jets remain out of service.
The claim includes USD 76 million for one aircraft alone - a five-year-old A350 that
was due to be re-painted in livery for the 2022 World Cup, which Qatar is hosting later
this year.
It said the QCAA had told the airline that the deterioration of airplanes was "deterioration
of airplanes was "disturbing, if not alarming."
The regulator had also said it was "deeply concerned" that safety could be compromised
because of a lack of analysis or permanent fix.
General, the A350 has proved to be a fan favorite of each carrier and consumers around the globe.
The aircraft’s steadiness of economics and luxury has enabled it to transform into a
flagship in different long-haul fleets.
The A350 Freighter may be gaining traction, regardless of the likes of Qatar being deterred
following the present paint worries.
Airbus and its consumers will without a doubt be willing to handle those construction considerations
heading into 2022.
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