Bitget App
Trade smarter
Open
HomepageSign up
Bitget>
News>
Markets>
Solar radiation reveals previously undetected software flaw in Airbus aircraft fleet

Solar radiation reveals previously undetected software flaw in Airbus aircraft fleet

Bitget-RWA2025/11/28 19:20
By: Bitget-RWA
- Airbus issues emergency directive to update A320 fleet software/hardware after solar radiation-linked flight-control incident caused JetBlue's emergency landing. - EU Aviation Safety Agency mandates fixes for 6,000 aircraft, risking Thanksgiving travel chaos as airlines face weeks-long groundings for repairs. - Solar interference vulnerability, previously flagged by FAA in 2018, highlights growing software reliability challenges in modern avionics systems. - Analysts call issue "manageable" but warn of s

Airbus A320 Fleet Faces Groundings Over Flight Control Software Risks

Airbus has initiated a widespread safety measure for its A320 series jets after a flight control issue was traced to possible software weaknesses. This action, announced on November 28, is set to temporarily sideline thousands of aircraft, potentially causing significant disruptions to international air travel during a peak holiday season. The European aircraft manufacturer revealed that heightened solar activity could compromise essential flight control data, leading the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to issue an urgent airworthiness directive.

This directive requires immediate updates to both software and hardware on roughly 6,000 A320 family planes—more than half of the global fleet of 11,300 aircraft.

Incident Sparks Urgent Recall

The recall was prompted by an event on October 30, when a JetBlue flight traveling from Cancun to Newark experienced an unexpected descent, resulting in an emergency landing in Tampa, Florida. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating and has indicated that a failure in the Thales ELAC 2 computer, which processes pilot inputs, was likely a factor. The sudden drop led to the hospitalization of 10 to 15 passengers. Airbus has linked the malfunction to software issues that allow solar radiation to disrupt flight control data—a risk previously identified by the FAA in a 2018 directive concerning angle-of-attack sensors.

Operational Impact and Industry Response

The scale of the recall has alarmed airlines, with industry insiders estimating that about two-thirds of the affected planes will need to be grounded briefly to revert to earlier software versions. Additionally, several hundred aircraft may require hardware swaps, potentially resulting in weeks of downtime.

Airbus A320 aircraft grounded for safety updates

Airbus has acknowledged the operational challenges but reaffirmed that passenger safety is paramount. The company is working closely with aviation regulators to phase in the updates and reduce the number of flight cancellations. However, the timing—just before the busy U.S. Thanksgiving travel period—could intensify travel disruptions.

Expert Insights and Future Steps

Aviation analyst JonNYC, known for tracking flight data, stressed the urgency of the situation. He explained that updating the software on each aircraft could take several hours, and the supply of replacement ELAC units may not meet immediate demand. While he described the issue as serious but controllable—unlike the 737 MAX crisis—he cautioned that airlines might encounter temporary capacity shortages. Regulatory agencies such as the FAA and EASA are expected to set phased compliance deadlines based on aircraft usage and maintenance cycles.

Broader Implications for Aviation Safety

This recall highlights the increasing complexity of maintaining software integrity in modern aircraft, especially as solar activity becomes more intense. Airbus has committed to working with airlines to accelerate repairs, but the event underscores the vulnerability of sophisticated avionics to environmental factors. Given the A320 family's central role in global aviation, this incident may have long-term effects on fleet management and regulatory practices within the industry.

Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
PoolX: Earn new token airdrops
Lock your assets and earn 10%+ APR
Lock now!

You may also like

The Emergence of ZK Innovations and Vitalik's Perspective on the Next Phase of Web3

- The ZK market is projected to grow from $1.28B to $7.59B by 2033, driven by Vitalik Buterin's vision for Ethereum's ZK-centric scalability and privacy. - Ethereum's 2025–2027 roadmap prioritizes ZK efficiency via GKR protocol and streamlined rollups, enabling 43,000 TPS and 15x faster verification. - Projects like zkSync (27M monthly transactions) and StarkNet (BTCFi integration) demonstrate ZK's scalability, while Polygon zkEVM focuses on EVM compatibility and cost reduction. - Regulatory challenges (Mi

Bitget-RWA2025/11/29 10:38
Ethereum Updates: Mutuum’s $20 Million Presale Reflects Positive Crypto Sentiment as Ethereum Approaches Crucial Support Level

- Ethereum nears $2,850 support zone with analysts predicting potential $9,000 rally via three-wave price pattern. - Mutuum Finance (MUTM) raises $19M in presale at $0.035, projecting 200-400% growth ahead of Q4 2025 launch. - Crypto market shows cautious optimism with 0.6% rise to $3.1T cap, 80/100 top coins gaining amid Bitcoin's $87,788 range. - Solana surges 2.1% to $139, securing top 10 market cap position while institutional adoption accelerates. - Mutuum's DeFi protocol roadmap includes ETH/USDT col

Bitget-RWA2025/11/29 10:36
Bitcoin News Update: Regulation Meets Speculation as BlockchainFX Overtakes Major Players in Crypto Presale Competition

- BlockchainFX raised $12M in presale, surpassing Bitcoin Hyper and BlockDAG, driven by regulatory compliance and 70% token bonuses. - The project secured Anjouan's international trading license, attracting risk-averse investors with its audited live platform and 18,400 early participants. - Aggressive incentives like BF70 code and $500K Gleam giveaways intensified participation, contrasting peers' waning momentum due to speculation and dilution concerns. - Analysts highlight BlockchainFX's utility-focused

Bitget-RWA2025/11/29 10:36

Trending news

More
1
The Emergence of ZK Innovations and Vitalik's Perspective on the Next Phase of Web3
2
Ethereum Updates: Mutuum’s $20 Million Presale Reflects Positive Crypto Sentiment as Ethereum Approaches Crucial Support Level

Crypto prices

More
Bitcoin
Bitcoin
BTC
$90,614.56
-1.33%
Ethereum
Ethereum
ETH
$3,001.58
-1.89%
Tether USDt
Tether USDt
USDT
$1
+0.05%
XRP
XRP
XRP
$2.19
-1.78%
BNB
BNB
BNB
$879.9
-1.91%
Solana
Solana
SOL
$136.99
-3.68%
USDC
USDC
USDC
$1
+0.02%
TRON
TRON
TRX
$0.2810
+0.06%
Dogecoin
Dogecoin
DOGE
$0.1491
-2.13%
Cardano
Cardano
ADA
$0.4172
-3.43%
How to buy BTC
Bitget lists BTC – Buy or sell BTC quickly on Bitget!
Trade now
Become a trader now?A welcome pack worth 6200 USDT for new users!
Sign up now
Trade smarter