Boeing has temporarily halted the flight tests of its 777X jetliner after quality issues were found in key structural components connecting the engines to the wings on three of the aircraft.
The company stated that during a routine inspection following a test flight in Hawaii, a fractured thrust link was discovered on test aircraft WH003. Further inspections on two other test aircraft revealed cracks in components used to transmit thrust between the General Electric GE-9X engines and the mounts that secure the engines to the fuselage.
As a result, the aircraft manufacturer has grounded its entire fleet of 777X test planes, which consists of four aircraft.
In a statement, Boeing mentioned it had “identified a component that does not meet the design performance” and is in the process of replacing the component to resume flight testing once ready.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently granted Boeing approval for certification flight tests of the 777X. The company has informed the FAA of the issues found on three of the four test aircraft.
Boeing describes the new 777X on its website as “the world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet, with unmatched performance in all aspects.”
The model was originally planned for entry into service in 2020. According to Boeing’s initial projections, hundreds of these aircraft should have been delivered by now. However, due to delays and cost overruns, the 777X is still in the flight testing phase.
Since its introduction in 1995, the 777 has been one of Boeing’s most popular models, currently remaining its best-selling wide-body aircraft. In addition to the well-received but aging 777-300ER, the 777X offers airlines another model option.
The issues discovered on the 777X aircraft mark another blow to Boeing’s reputation.
In January this year, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 plane experienced a harrowing incident in the sky, with a cabin door suddenly bursting and detaching. Although the flight subsequently landed safely with no injuries, the event raised concerns about this particular model, prompting the FAA to ground all airlines’ 737 Max 9 planes for quality inspections.
Since then, Boeing has faced a series of troubles stemming from quality issues, causing the company’s orders to significantly lag behind its European competitor Airbus.
In pre-market trading on Tuesday, Boeing’s stock price dropped by 0.9%. The stock has fallen by approximately 30% this year.