Nearly 140 Airbus A330neos Now Face Inspections For Tools Left Inside Their Tails

Airbus is recommending additional inspections of 139 Airbus A330neo aircraft already delivered to airlines after a tool was discovered inside the horizontal tail structure of one jet during production. The checks cover aircraft delivered from 2021 through the end of May 2026, extending the investigation beyond aircraft still at Airbus facilities. The manufacturer says there is no immediate safety concern and that it can demonstrate an aircraft remains safe to operate even if a similar tool is present. NBAA reported that Airbus and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are working on the inspection approach, with another update expected in mid-November.