Airbus has announced that recent Airbus issues with its A320-family aircraft could affect flight controls due to intense solar radiation corrupting critical data. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency plans to issue an emergency airworthiness directive to address the problem.
The company acknowledged that these Airbus issues will cause operational disruptions for passengers and airlines. Industry sources said about two-thirds of affected jets will be temporarily grounded as airlines revert to a previous software version.
Hundreds of jets may also require hardware changes, leading to several weeks out of service. The timing is particularly concerning, emerging just before the busiest travel weekend of the year in the United States.
The recall was triggered by an incident on October 30 involving a JetBlue flight from Cancun to Newark. Flight 1230 made an emergency landing in Tampa after experiencing a sudden uncommanded drop in altitude and a flight control problem. Several passengers were hospitalized following the incident.
Airbus reports there are roughly 11,300 A320-family aircraft in operation worldwide, including 6,440 of the core A320 model. The airline bulletin specifies that the software update must be carried out before the next flight, except for repositioning flights to a repair base.
The problem stems from the ELAC (Elevator and Aileron Computer), which sends commands to the aircraft’s elevators controlling pitch and nose angle. Thales, the manufacturer, stated that the software responsible is outside its scope of responsibility.
Industry experts warn that these Airbus issues could affect schedules for weeks, with passengers facing delays or cancellations. Airlines are working closely with Airbus to implement software and hardware fixes as quickly as possible.
The A320 recall highlights the challenges of modern aviation systems, where complex software and hardware interactions can have serious operational implications, emphasizing the importance of rapid response to ensure safety.
In other news read more about: Air France A350 Chicago Flight Returns to Paris
