Big Data Analytics Help Airbus Prevent Catastrophic Accidents

January 17, 2025
Big Data Analytics Help Airbus Prevent Catastrophic Accidents

The advances in technology have opened up new possibilities for ensuring the safety and reliability of aircraft. One such innovation is big data analytics, which has proven to be indispensable in modern aviation. Airbus found itself utilizing this cutting-edge technology to prevent potentially catastrophic accidents. A particularly noteworthy example involves the discovery of a significant flaw in the A330neo’s pneumatic system. The detailed information and insights accorded to Airbus from data integration and analysis bridge the gap between aircraft design and real-world operations, ultimately enhancing safety.

The Role of Skywise in Aircraft Safety

Airbus has firmly positioned itself as a proactive user of big data analytics to address various safety concerns. Central to this effort is the Skywise platform, launched at the 2017 Paris Air Show in collaboration with Palantir Technologies. Skywise is crafted to amalgamate data from an array of sources, including flight and health-and-usage data that contemporary aircraft collect. The sheer volume of data collected is staggering, with the A330neo alone generating approximately 500 gigabytes daily and the A350 up to one terabyte.

Goodwin, Airbus’s director of flight safety – safety enhancement for Airbus Product Safety, stressed the importance of turning vast quantities of raw data into actionable intelligence to significantly improve safety decision-making. Skywise’s robust data analytics capabilities allow Airbus to identify potential issues, providing a mechanism to implement timely corrective measures before these problems culminate into severe incidents.

The A330neo Case: Preventing a Catastrophic Incident

A particularly clear example of the proactive use of big data analytics in aviation safety came with the A330neo case. An emergency airworthiness directive (AD) was issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on August 17, 2022. This issuance followed a report by an Airbus A330neo operator who observed leaking high-pressure valves in the bleed air system. The severity of the issue prompted EASA to act swiftly by mirroring the emergency AD through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) the very next day. The directive prohibited specific take-off configurations that were being employed by certain operators to boost take-off performance but posed substantial risks.

Emergency ADs are exceptional and rare, with EASA issuing only one to two dozen annually for all aircraft types. These directives serve to immediately rectify unsafe conditions. In this case, the AD clarified that the leaking bleed system’s high-pressure valves could subject downstream pressure regulating valves to dangerous high-pressure levels. Such exposure could result in the downstream duct experiencing high pressure and temperatures, potentially causing it to burst and leading to a subsequent loss of control of the aircraft.

Investigating the Root Cause with Skywise

While the AD provided immediate corrective instructions to operators, it did not establish a direct link between the prohibited take-off configurations and the leaking valves. Airbus enlisted the power of Skywise to delve deeper into the issue, comparing operational and sensor data. Through this analysis, it was discovered that the bleed monitoring computer’s (BMC) software, in specific configurations, failed to adequately control the high-pressure valve. This lapse resulted in undue stress and the eventual failure of the valve’s clamping pin, causing leakage. Without such an in-depth analysis, the escape of hot, high-pressure air into the wing could have led to extensive damage.

To avert potential catastrophe, Airbus promptly recommended the emergency AD to EASA. Further fixes were developed over time, leading to subsequent ADs over the next two years that directed operators to replace defective parts and update BMC software gradually, relaxing the operational restrictions outlined initially.

The TAP Air Portugal A320 Incident

Another illustrative example of utilizing big data analytics to enhance safety involved an incident with a TAP Air Portugal A320 in April 2022. During an attempted crosswind landing at Copenhagen Airport, the aircraft’s thrust reversers were deployed. Ordinarily, once thrust reversers are used, the procedure mandates that the aircraft must complete a full-stop landing. However, the pilot in command, uncomfortable with the aircraft’s attitude, opted for a go-around instead of landing.

While the right-hand engine’s thrust reversers stowed as expected, the left-hand engine’s did not, resulting in complications during the go-around. Investigators traced the problem to the software logic in the CFM56’s electronic control unit (ECU), which independently determines “ground” or “flight” status for the engines. In this case, a slight asynchronism and landing gear bounce led to a failed stow command for the left engine’s thrust reverser, causing the engine to stay at idle during the go-around.

Enhancing Safety Protocols and Training

While the pilots were aware of the standard operating procedure (SOP) requiring a landing after selecting thrust reversers, they lacked clarity regarding the consequences of commanding take-off and go-around thrust. Skywise’s analysis of 3.4 million flights revealed that aborted landing/go-around scenarios occurred approximately once per million flights, equating to a global average of once per month.

This incident prompted Airbus to refine the ECU software, enhancing its logic to prevent a similar situation from recurring. Additionally, Airbus revised its operating manuals and developed new training materials for flight crews to ensure better awareness and adherence to SOPs, thereby bolstering overall safety.

The Future of Big Data in Aviation Safety

Technological advancements have unlocked new ways to ensure aircraft safety and reliability. One significant breakthrough is big data analytics, which has quickly become essential in modern aviation. Airbus has been at the forefront of utilizing this advanced technology to avoid potential disasters. A telling instance involves the identification of a serious defect in the pneumatic system of the A330neo. This impactful discovery was made possible through the accumulation and insightful analysis of vast amounts of data.

Big data analytics bridges the divide between aircraft design and practical operations in the real world. It allows manufacturers like Airbus to detect issues that may not be immediately apparent during the design phase. By continually collecting and analyzing flight data, Airbus can identify trends and pinpoint potential flaws before they lead to accidents.

This proactive approach significantly enhances safety, as the insights drawn from data allow for proactive measures rather than reactive fixes. This technology aids in refining aircraft designs, improving maintenance schedules, and ultimately safeguarding passengers and crew.

The integration of big data analytics in aviation represents a giant leap forward in aviation safety and reliability. By leveraging this innovation, Airbus can ensure their aircraft not only meet but exceed safety standards, providing a safe flying experience for everyone involved.

Subscribe to our weekly news digest.

Join now and become a part of our fast-growing community.

Invalid Email Address
Thanks for Subscribing!
We'll be sending you our best soon!
Something went wrong, please try again later