Airbus Orders Software & Hardware Fixes for thousands of A320 Jets Due to Solar Radiation Risk
Airbus SE has issued a warning that a substantial portion of its A320 jetliner fleet – approximately 6,000 aircraft – will require software or hardware updates following an incident where intense solar radiation was identified as a potential cause of flight control data corruption.
The issue stems from a computer malfunction experienced on October 30th by a JetBlue Airways Corp. flight traveling from Cancun to Newark. The aircraft experienced an unexpected and sudden downward pitch mid-flight, requiring a diversion to Tampa, Florida.Investigations pinpointed a failure in one of the planeS Elevator Aileron Computers (ELAC 2) as the source of the problem.
Airbus is requesting an Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) to implement the necessary fixes, which will likely be formalized as an emergency directive from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). While the majority of the A320 fleet can receive the update via a simple cockpit procedure with minimal disruption,approximately 1,000 older aircraft will necessitate a hardware upgrade and temporary grounding for maintenance.
The ELAC system is crucial to the A320’s fly-by-wire control system, managing key flight parameters and preventing unintended or excessive aircraft movements. Airbus acknowledges the required repairs will cause operational disruptions for airlines and passengers.The company has not yet provided details on the exact nature of the fix or the duration of the maintenance procedures, deferring to the forthcoming EASA directive for further data.
This issue adds to existing challenges for airbus,which is already addressing engine problems on its newer A320neo models,requiring temporary removal of jets for maintenance. The A320 family remains a cornerstone of global air travel, competing directly with Boeing’s 737 series as the workhorse of the civil aviation industry.