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Most Airbus A320s Back in Service After Software Fix as New Production Flaw Emerges

Emergency airworthiness orders required immediate software rollbacks after analysis suggested a JetBlue pitch‑down was triggered by solar radiation corrupting ELAC data.

Overview

  • Around 6,000 A320‑family jets were flagged for action; Airbus says fewer than 100 still await the mandated update before returning to service.
  • The prescribed remedy for most aircraft is a 2–3 hour rollback to a previously validated ELAC software version loaded via a cockpit data loader.
  • Regulators at EASA and the FAA issued emergency directives requiring completion of the fix before carrying passengers, prompting overnight work across global fleets.
  • Analysts indicate a smaller, older subset of jets may need hardware replacements for flight computers, extending downtime beyond software rollbacks.
  • Separately, Reuters reported a fuselage‑panel quality issue affecting several dozen A320s in production that is delaying some deliveries, with no signs of impact on in‑service aircraft.