Airbus has ordered software modifications to around six thousand A320 Family aircraft worldwide after analysis of a recent event revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls.
It’s believed the ‘event’ involved a JetBlue A320 that experienced an uncommanded drop in altitude while flying from Mexico to the United States in late October.
“Airbus has consequently identified a significant number of A320 Family aircraft currently in-service which may be impacted,” stated Airbus in a media release.
Depending on the fix each aircraft requires, it should take around two hours to complete. Jetstar has been heavily affected today with more than 30 planes impacted.
“Airbus has worked proactively with the aviation authorities to request immediate precautionary action from operators via an Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) in order to implement the available software and/or hardware protection, and ensure the fleet is safe to fly. This AOT will be reflected in an Emergency Airworthiness Directive from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).”
Computers are particularly vulnerable to cosmic rays at higher altitudes and modern aircraft are essentially run by software interacting with control surfaces. The Veritasium video below explains the phenomenon nicely.
“Airbus acknowledges these recommendations will lead to operational disruptions to passengers and customers. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and will work closely with operators, while keeping safety as our number one and overriding priority,” the statement concluded.
