Transport Canada completes inspections of all Airbus A330s after Air Transat incident

Transport Minister David Collenette says that Air Canada and Air Transat have inspected their Airbus A330 aircraft to ensure that they do not have the mechanical conditions that may have contributed to the Air Transat emergency landing in the Azores on August 24.

Air Canada and Air Transat are the only operators in Canada with Airbus A330s outfitted with the same engine as the aircraft involved in the emergency landing. Air Canada operates eight and Air Transat three Airbus A330 aircraft.

“I have been assured by both Air Canada and Air Transat that they have completed inspections on their Airbus A330. Safety remains a shared responsibility and I am pleased with the proactive spirit of cooperation in the Canadian aviation industry and its prompt attention to this safety issue,” said Collenette.

Air Canada released a statement saying it had completed inspections of the Rolls Royce Trent 700 series engines on its eight two-engine Airbus 330-300 aircraft, confirming that the engines are in normal, safe operating condition and meet the manufacturers’ most recent modification standards. In addition, Air Canada’s engine records confirm that all of its Rolls Royce A330-300 engines were delivered in the newest configuration.

Engine manufacturer Rolls Royce, for its part, has recommended that airlines worldwide operating Airbus 330 aircraft with Rolls Royce Trent 700 series engines conduct the same inspection Air Canada undertook, which involves a thorough check of the hydraulic and fuel systems.

Meanwhile, prelimiary information received from the Portuguese authority investigating the incident indicates a problem with the fuel system, in which both engines failed as a result of fuel starvation. Initial inspection of the engines has determined that there was a crack on a pressure fuel line on the right engine.

“Transport Canada officials are in ongoing communication with the Transportation Safety Board and the Portuguese authority as well as the aircraft manufacturer (Airbus Industrie), the engine manufacturer (Rolls Royce), the responsible civil aviation authority for the Airbus aircraft (France) and our affected air operators,” added Mr. Collenette.

The investigation by the Portuguese authority into the remaining components of the fuel system and the overall conduct of the flight is continuing.

To date, there have been no other reported cases of fuel line cracks on Canadian-operated Airbus A330 aircraft.