So since entering service on Jan 1, XWBD unfortunately suffered a hard landing into Tel Aviv on Jan 20th. After a day or so on the ground for "safety checks" it returned as a freight flight to LHR. Presumably it had further checks at LHR just to make sure all was good.

Feb 12th on arrival into Toronto, it suffered a hydraulic failure on landing, the airport fire service were involved and a tow to the stand. Cargo doors couldn't open and the return flight was cancelled.

After two days on the ground, it returned to LHR as a daytime freight flight, presumably once BA engineers had flown in and fixed it. (not sure there are many A350 operators in YYZ).

5 days later on Feb 19th , it lands at Heathrow from Tel Aviv and dumps hydraulic fluid on the runway, closing one of the two active runways for a "period" (according to thebasource.com) before taxiing under its own steam.

You'd think the original hydraulic failure was a s**t happens event after operating ok for a few days. But two events in 5 days - really??? I'm sure BA will say the two leaks were unrelated and that may be the case. I also heard a rumour from a "source" that the heavy landing damaged some brackets holding hydraulic pipes - not obvious on an inspection and a leak ensued on arrival into Toronto.

Now, having maintained fleets of subway trains for a living - for the same aircraft to have the same failure TWICE, AND after a heavy landing suggests something is wrong with the inspection regime or maintenance. If a hose comes off on my car (and I accept it's a simple analogy), then I'd be checking both ends, the brackets and beyond to see the likely cause and look for other potential points for failure.

I'm sure there is a good explanation, and XWBD is off to Dubai tonight so perhaps third time lucky. But statistically, this trend is not random and is highlighting a systemic issue - either with the aircraft or it's maintenance regime and inspection.

My main interest, other than safety - is that I travel from Toronto in Mid March and have a 1 in 5 chance (may go to 1 in 6 by then) of being on this frame.