Airlines race to fix thousands of planes after warning solar radiation could cause pilots to lose control

Author's Summary

Airbus issued an urgent global alert for A320-family operators to address a software issue where intense solar radiation could corrupt flight control data, prompting airlines to update thousands of aircraft amid holiday travel pressures to prevent disruptions and ensure safety (148 characters).

Background on the Issue

Airbus has identified a critical software vulnerability in the A320 family of aircraft, including models like the A319, A320, and A321. Intense solar radiation, such as from solar flares, may interfere with data essential for flight control operations. This discovery stems from a recent incident where an aircraft experienced an uncommanded drop in altitude, leading to injuries and an emergency landing.

The Incident That Sparked the Alert

In October, a JetBlue A320 flight from Cancun, Mexico, to Newark, New Jersey, suddenly lost altitude en route, forcing pilots to land emergently in Tampa, Florida. Around 15 passengers required hospital transport following the event. Airbus's analysis revealed solar flares corrupted data in the Elevator Aileron Computer (ELAC), potentially causing uncommanded elevator movements in worst-case scenarios.

"Analysis of a recent incident involving an A320 Family aircraft has indicated that intense solar radiation may interfere with data essential for flight control operations."

Airline Responses and Fixes

Major carriers like American Airlines, operating about 480 A320-family planes with 340 needing updates, anticipate some delays but aim to minimize cancellations during the holiday rush. Delta Air Lines, with fewer than 50 affected A321neos, expects minimal impact and plans to complete repairs by Saturday morning, prioritizing safety above all. The software update, which rolls back to an earlier version, takes roughly two hours per aircraft and can often occur during overnight maintenance or between flights.

Broader Implications

This recall affects approximately 6,000 single-aisle jets worldwide, marking one of Airbus's largest software actions in history. Regulators and the company emphasize proactive measures to keep the fleet airworthy, with no immediate safety risks if updates proceed swiftly. Airlines face challenges from strained repair facilities due to labor shortages and other groundings, yet many expect to wrap up fixes without major cancellations.

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CNN on MSN CNN on MSN — 2025-11-29

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