Major Airbus A320 Recall Ordered Following In-Flight Incident
Airbus has mandated an immediate software update for a significant number of its A320 family jets, a move industry experts warn will disrupt nearly half of the global fleet. The directive, issued on Friday, requires action before the aircraft's next flight, threatening widespread cancellations and delays during a peak travel period.
The Solar Radiation Glitch
The urgent recall was triggered by a recent incident where intense solar radiation was found to corrupt data essential for flight control systems. Airbus confirmed the discovery, stating the phenomenon could affect critical aircraft functions. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency is preparing an emergency directive to enforce the software fix.
Industry sources have identified the triggering event as JetBlue Flight 1230 from Cancún to Newark on 30 October. The aircraft experienced a flight control problem and a sudden, uncommanded altitude drop, resulting in several passenger injuries and an emergency landing in Tampa, Florida. The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the incident.
Operational Impact and Airline Response
The UK's Civil Aviation Authority acknowledged the issue, warning of probable disruption and cancellations for some UK carriers. Globally, approximately 3,000 A320-family aircraft were airborne shortly after the announcement, with over 11,300 such aircraft in operation worldwide.
American Airlines revealed that about 340 of its 480 A320 aircraft require the software patch, with each fix taking roughly two hours. The airline expects to complete the majority of updates within two days. Wizz Air is also affected, while United Airlines confirmed its fleet is not impacted.
For about two-thirds of the affected jets, reverting to a previous software version will cause relatively brief groundings. However, hundreds of aircraft may require hardware changes, leading to significantly longer downtime. This comes amid existing strain on maintenance facilities, already grappling with parts shortages and separate engine-related groundings.
The A320, which recently surpassed the Boeing 737 as the most-delivered aircraft model, was the first mainstream jetliner to use fly-by-wire controls. The issue has been traced to the Elevator and Aileron Computer (ELAC), which processes pilot commands to control the aircraft's pitch. Computer manufacturer Thales stated its hardware complies with Airbus specifications, noting the problematic functionality involves software outside its responsibility.
This recall represents one of the largest mass corrective actions in Airbus's 55-year history, highlighting the ongoing challenges in modern aviation software management and safety protocols.
