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.

Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. canceled dozens of flights Tuesday after detecting an engine fault in one of its Airbus SE A350 aircraft. The mid-flight discovery of the problem forced the Zurich-bound flight to return to the carrier’s base in Hong Kong.

Cathay Pacific's grounding of its Airbus A350 fleet earlier this month has brought to light a significant engine defect that could have led to catastrophic damage, according to a report by Hong Kong's Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA).

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.

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.

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.