21-8-2024 (NEW YORK) Boeing, the American aerospace giant, has been forced to suspend flight testing of its new 777X wide-body jet following the discovery of a faulty component, the company confirmed on Tuesday.
The setback comes as Boeing continues to grapple with concerns over safety and quality control, particularly in the wake of January’s near-catastrophic incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX.
A Boeing spokesperson told AFP, “During scheduled maintenance, we identified a component that did not perform as designed. Our team is replacing the part and capturing any learnings from the component and will resume flight testing when ready.”
The component in question, specific to the 777-9 model, is responsible for connecting the engine to the aircraft structure. Boeing has stated that other 777-9s used for testing are currently undergoing inspection following this incident.
The 777X programme, unveiled in November 2013, represents the latest addition to Boeing’s popular 777 family. Designed to be the world’s largest twin-engine jet in operation, the 777X has already garnered over 500 orders. However, these aircraft have yet to enter commercial service.
Initially slated for a 2020 debut, the 777X’s entry into service has been pushed back to 2025 due to complications in the certification process. Despite these delays, Boeing achieved a significant milestone in July when it received permission to commence testing the 777-9 with US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) representatives on board.
The 777X will be available in three variants: the 777-8, the 777-9, and the 777-8 cargo. Each model is designed to meet different market demands and operational requirements.
