The 6 Airbus A350s that have already been retired, written off or scrapped
Only six Airbus A350 airframes have been retired, written off, preserved or scrapped since the type entered service, highlighting the aircraft’s remarkably strong safety and fleet record.
Of the more than 650 A350s delivered worldwide, just one production aircraft has been lost in an accident, while the remaining five examples have either been withdrawn from service for commercial reasons or were Airbus development and test aircraft.
Here’s a closer look at the six A350 airframes that have reached the end of their operational lives.
1. MSN 538 Japan Airlines JA13XJ – the only A350 written off
The most significant loss in the A350 programme remains Japan Airlines A350-941 JA13XJ (MSN 538).
Delivered in November 2021, the aircraft entered commercial service on 18 November 2021 after ferrying from Toulouse to Tokyo Haneda.
On 2 January 2024, while landing at Tokyo Haneda Airport, the aircraft collided with a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300 operated by the Japan Coast Guard.
The collision caused the A350’s nose gear to collapse before a fire engulfed the aircraft. Despite the rapidly spreading blaze, all 367 passengers and 12 crew members aboard the Japan Airlines flight evacuated safely. Tragically, five of the six crew members aboard the Coast Guard aircraft lost their lives.
The aircraft was subsequently declared a total loss, making it the only production A350 that has been written off to date.
2. MSN 055 Sichuan Airlines B-304V – stored after withdrawal
B-304V (MSN 055) joined Sichuan Airlines in December 2018 under lease from AerCap. The aircraft had originally been slated for SriLankan Airlines under lease from AerCap, but was not taken up.
It was ferried from Toulouse to Singapore Changi on 20-21 Nov 2018 for a repaint, then travelled from Singapore to Chengdu Shuangliu with a stop at Tianjin Binhai TSN-CTU on 18-19 Dec 2018 for delivery. The aircraft entered into service on 26 Dec 2018.
The aircraft became well known after receiving a colourful Chengdu FISU World University Games special livery in 2022.
After more than seven years in service, the aircraft was withdrawn from use on 30 May 2026 and placed into storage at Guangzhou the following day. It has not been scrapped and remains available for future placement. It is currently listed as due for delivery to China Airlines, though no delivery date is specified.
3. MSN 060 Sichuan Airlines B-301D – returned to AerCap
B-301D (MSN 060) was another leased Sichuan Airlines A350 delivered in August 2018.
The aircraft carried the airline’s distinctive “Panda Route” special livery before being withdrawn from service in March 2026.
It was returned to lessor AerCap on 2 June 2026 and placed into storage in Taipei pending a new operator. It is also listed as due for delivery to China Airlines.
Although retired from Sichuan Airlines, the aircraft is expected to return to commercial service with another airline.
4. MSN 003 Airbus test aircraft F-WZGG
F-WZGG (MSN 003) was one of the original A350 flight-test aircraft.
The aircraft first flew in October 2013 and supported Airbus’ extensive certification programme before being preserved upon completion of its development work.
Unlike airline-operated aircraft, it never entered commercial passenger service.
5. MSN 004 Airbus test aircraft F-WZNW
F-WZNW (MSN 004) also served as an Airbus certification aircraft.
Following its test career, the aircraft was preserved and, since November 2024, has been used as an instructional airframe for UIMM Occitanie Adour-Pyrénées at Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport.
Like MSN 003, it remains intact rather than being dismantled.
6. MSN 5000 Static test frame
The final airframe is MSN 5000, the A350’s static structural test article.
Unlike flying aircraft, this airframe was built exclusively for structural testing during development. After completing thousands of hours of fatigue and certification tests, it was partially dismantled in Toulouse during 2016, with sections retained for engineering and research purposes.
It remains the only A350 to have been deliberately broken up outside of an accident.
A350 has a small attrition rate
The Airbus A350 entered commercial service in 2015 and has established a strong reliability record among any modern widebody programme.
Among hundreds of aircraft delivered to airlines worldwide:
- One production aircraft has been written off (Japan Airlines JA13XJ).
- Two airline aircraft are currently stored after being withdrawn from service.
- Two prototype aircraft have been preserved.
- One static test airframe was partially scrapped after completing certification testing.
Given the size of the global A350 fleet and more than a decade of operations, the type’s attrition rate is low, reflecting operational reliability and a strong safety record.
