What happened
An incident involving an Airbus A320-231, registration G-VCED, prompted a review of maintenance procedures regarding engine cowlings. Information surfaced regarding a pattern of fan cowl door loss during the takeoff phase of flight. Specifically, five instances were identified where doors became detached from the V2500 powerplants during takeoff on the initial flight following maintenance activities.
The investigation
An examination of the history of fan cowl door security revealed that the loss of these components occurred consistently on the first flight after maintenance work had been performed. In at least one of these recorded instances, the detachment resulted in significant damage to the aircraft. The investigation looked into the manufacturer's All Operator Wire (AOW) 1047, issued in March 1999, which addressed these specific engine types.
Findings
- The investigation established that improper latching procedures during maintenance were a recurring factor in the loss of cowl doors.
- The manufacturer's guidance emphasized that the loss of doors occurred on the first flight following maintenance.
- To mitigate this risk, it was recommended that airline work practices be updated to ensure that latches are secured every time a fan cowl door is closed, even if the doors are not intended to be reopened during that specific maintenance check.