Airbus has ordered the immediate grounding of approximately 6,000 A320 aircraft due to a fault in a flight control computer (ELAC) that controls flight systems, vulnerable to solar radiation. The software update to correct the problem is already causing delays and cancellations.
The Problem
Fault: A flight control computer (ELAC) may have its data corrupted by solar radiation, affecting the control of the aircraft's elevators and ailerons.
Incident: A JetBlue flight experienced a sudden descent without pilot intervention, forcing an emergency landing in Tampa.
Solution: Airbus has determined a return to a previous software version, with the correction to be implemented before the aircraft return to commercial service.
Implications
Flight Suspensions: Airbus has requested that airlines immediately suspend flights of the affected aircraft.
Air India has suspended 113 flights and is performing software updates on 43. Air France has cancelled 35 flights. Impact: The measure is causing delays and cancellations in several countries.
Regulation: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will issue an emergency airworthiness directive, which will make the correction mandatory.
Source: Reuters
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