Airbus Initiates Global Recall of 6,000 A320 Aircraft, 38 in Indonesia Affected

Software Vulnerability to Solar Radiation Prompts Action

Airbus has announced a comprehensive recall of 6,000 A320 aircraft worldwide due to a discovered vulnerability in the aircraft's software that makes it susceptible to damage from intense solar radiation. This global action affects 38 A320 aircraft currently operating in Indonesia. The software issue potentially compromises critical flight control systems when exposed to heightened solar activity.

Technical Background and Safety Measures

The vulnerability stems from the aircraft's flight control software being sensitive to solar radiation, which could corrupt essential data required for safe flight operations. In response, Airbus has proactively collaborated with aviation regulatory bodies, including the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), to implement immediate protective measures. These include software patches and hardware modifications to safeguard against the identified risk.

Implementation and Industry Impact

Airbus has issued an Alert Operator Transmission (AOT) based on an Emergency Airworthiness Directive from EASA, mandating operators to apply the necessary software or hardware protections. This directive ensures that all affected aircraft are rendered safe for continued operation. The recall and subsequent modifications underscore Airbus's commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards in aviation. While the recall is comprehensive, involving a significant number of aircraft globally, the swift action is expected to mitigate potential risks associated with the software vulnerability.