Airbus issues AOT for A320 Family regarding solar-radiation data corruption
Airbus warns that intense solar radiation may corrupt A320 flight control data. An EASA Emergency AD follows, likely causing schedule disruptions.
- Airbus warns intense solar radiation can corrupt flight-control data on A320 Family aircraft, posing a safety risk.
- A technical analysis after an in-service event showed onboard computer data integrity can be compromised, affecting many in-service A320s.
- Airbus issued an Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) requiring immediate software and in some cases hardware protections and inspections.
- EASA is preparing an Emergency Airworthiness Directive based on the AOT, mandating maintenance before aircraft return to service.
- Required checks and upgrades will ground multiple aircraft and likely cause operational disruptions and schedule impacts for passengers and operators.
Intense solar radiation could corrupt data critical to the functioning of A320 Family flight controls, according to a technical analysis following an in-service event. The European manufacturer identified that this atmospheric phenomenon has the potential to compromise the integrity of information processed by onboard computers, prompting urgent precautionary action worldwide.
As reported by Airbus in an official statement, a substantial number of A320 Family aircraft currently in service are susceptible to this anomaly. The situation requires the immediate implementation of software and, in some cases, hardware protections to ensure continued operational safety.
Immediate regulatory action
The manufacturer is working in coordination with aviation authorities to mitigate the risk. As a first step, it issued an Alert Operators Transmission (AOT), a technical document detailing the inspection and rectification procedures that airlines must execute without delay.
- What problem did Airbus identify affecting the A320 Family?
Airbus identified that intense solar radiation can corrupt data processed by onboard computers, potentially affecting flight-control systems on A320 Family aircraft.
- What immediate action did Airbus take?
Airbus issued an Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) detailing inspection and rectification procedures, and recommended software and, in some cases, hardware protections be implemented immediately.
- What regulatory step is expected to follow the AOT?
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is expected to publish an Emergency Airworthiness Directive requiring mandated maintenance before affected aircraft can resume commercial operations.
- How will this affect flight schedules?
Inspections and upgrades will require several aircraft to remain on the ground, causing operational disruptions and likely delays or cancellations that impact passengers and airline schedules.
- Is Airbus taking responsibility and what is their priority?
Airbus apologized for the inconvenience and stated that safety is its number one priority while it works with operators to implement fixes and restore normal operations.
This technical measure will serve as the basis for an Emergency Airworthiness Directive to be published by the EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency). Such a directive mandates the execution of maintenance tasks before affected aircraft can continue their commercial scheduling.
Impact on scheduling
The nature of these checks implies that several units will need to remain on the ground to receive the necessary upgrades. Airbus acknowledged that these recommendations will lead to "operational disruptions to passengers and customers."
The manufacturer apologized for the inconvenience and assured that safety remains its number one priority as it collaborates with operators to restore normalcy to the global short and medium-haul fleet.
