- Airbus is asking certain A330neo operators to inspect their aircraft for stray tools
- A stray tool was found inside the horizontal tail plane structure during a pre-delivery check
- The discovery caused delivery delays and slowed production over the summer months
- The recommendation targets A330neo aircraft built between January 2021 and July 2026
- EASA and Airbus confirmed there is no immediate safety concern or mandatory fleet grounding
Airbus is asking certain A330neo operators to inspect their aircraft for stray tools during routine maintenance following the discovery of a misplaced tool in a horizontal tail plane. A stray tool was found inside the horizontal tail plane structure of an A330neo during a pre-delivery check. The discovery caused delivery delays and slowed production over the summer months, with deliveries nearly halting in June, July and August, while factory checks were conducted.
The additional maintenance recommendation targets specific A330neo aircraft built between January 2021 and July 2026. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency and Airbus have confirmed there is no immediate safety concern or mandatory fleet grounding, and affected jets are safe to continue flying. Regulators and Airbus are coordinating to finalise the exact scope and formal timelines for any required in-service checks.
Airbus is asking certain A330neo operators to inspect their aircraft. A stray tool was found inside the horizontal tail plane structure. The discovery caused delivery delays.
