Hong Kong aviation investigators say an engine problem that caused Cathay Pacific to ground its entire fleet of Airbus A350 jets for inspection earlier this month could have escalated into “extensive damage.

The preliminary investigation into an incident involving Cathay Pacific Airways (OTCPK:CPCAY) operated Airbus (OTCPK:EADSF) A350 revealed a rupture in the fuel hose, said Hong Kong's aviation investigation authority on Thursday.

Europe's aviation regulator on Thursday linked a recent engine fire on a Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 to a possible problem with the maintenance of its Rolls-Royce engines.

Hong Kong's air safety authority said Thursday that a defect in an engine component of a Cathay Pacific Airways Airbus A350 that caused a fire, forcing a Zurich-bound flight to return to Hong Kong, could have caused ''extensive damage'' to the aircraft.

The Hong Kong airline said 15 of the 48 Airbus A350s in its fleet were found to have engine fuel lines that required replacement.

Airline Cathay Pacific has bought back all warrants issued to the Hong Kong government in 2020, another step in repaying the government for a pandemic-related recapitalisation package, the company said on Friday.

A Hong Kong aviation investigation revealed Cathay Pacific's Airbus A350 engine failure was due to a ruptured fuel hose. The incident highlighted potential risks of engine fires caused by fuel leaks.

A Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 encountered a fire caused by a ruptured fuel hose, leading to an emergency return to Hong Kong. The incident raised concerns about engine reliability and prompted inspections of 15 other aircraft in the fleet.

A probe by Hong Kong's aviation accident investigation agency revealed Cathay Pacific's Airbus A350 engine failed in-flight due to a ruptured fuel hose which also showed signs of a fire, the agency's report stated on Thursday.