Airbus A320 jets face checks after solar radiation issue
Airbus has issued an urgent safety communication to operators of A320 Family aircraft following the discovery that intense solar radiation could corrupt flight control data.
The company said analysis of a recent event involving an A320 Family jet revealed that “intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls”.
As a result, Airbus has identified a significant number of A320 Family aircraft currently in service which may be affected.
The manufacturer has worked with aviation authorities to request immediate precautionary action through an Alert Operators Transmission (AOT), instructing airlines to install software and hardware protections to ensure continued safety of flight.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is expected to issue an Emergency Airworthiness Directive to formalise the requirement.
In a statement issued from its headquarters in Toulouse, Airbus said:
“Airbus acknowledges these recommendations will lead to operational disruptions to passengers and customers. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and will work closely with operators, while keeping safety as our number one and overriding priority.”
Industry sources said the incident that triggered the review involved a JetBlue flight from Cancun, Mexico, to Newark, New Jersey, on 30 October, during which several passengers were injured following a sharp loss of altitude.
Airbus manufactures all wings for its A320 Family aircraft at its plant in Broughton, Flintshire.
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