Airbus, the Netherlands-based aerospace giant headquartered in France, must conduct a mandatory software update for its A320 passenger jets after information has come to light that solar radiation can corrupt key flight control data, potentially causing pilots to lose control of their aircraft.
The FAA joined the European Union Aviation Safety Agency in requiring airlines to address the issue with a new software update.
The directive comes following a JetBlue Airways flight that experienced a swift drop in altitude in October, injuring at least 15 passengers, some of whom were taken to the hospital.
The incident happened on Oct. 30 during a flight from Cancun, Mexico, to Newark, New Jersey, leading to a diversion to Tampa, Florida….