2024-08-21 09:17:39
Boeing’s problems in production continue. The new 777X model is already delayed, and now tests have to be suspended due to a breakdown.
US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has suspended test flights of the 777X model, which is already years late, after damage to the connection between the engine and the wings. During a scheduled inspection, it was discovered that a component “was not behaving as intended,” the company said.
The industry website “The Air Current” had previously reported that one of the connecting elements between the engine and the wing had broken on one of the 777-9 test aircraft. Before that, the aircraft had completed a flight from Hawaii lasting more than five hours. Cracks in the component were found on other 777-9 aircraft in the test fleet, it said, citing informed sources.
Boeing did not go into these details, but stressed that no flights with the other test aircraft were planned in the near future. The affected component is only used in the 777-9. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been informed.
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Boeing introduced the 777X as the successor to the widely used 777 in 2013 – it was originally supposed to go into service in 2020. Boeing recently postponed the date to 2025. The 777-9 is intended as a larger variant of the aircraft. Boeing is currently also waiting for the approval of new variants of its medium-haul jet, the 737 Max.
Almost at the same time as the 777X problems became known, the FAA ordered an inspection of the pilot seats on 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The trigger for the investigation was an incident in March in which a pilot was pushed from his seat into the controls, causing a rapid descent. Several people on board were injured.
Boeing subsequently reported many other incidents involving uncontrolled movements of the pilot seats, the FAA said. In at least two of these, wear and tear on seat components was found to be the cause. The investigation was ordered because the problem could also occur in other aircraft of the type.