ALBAWABA - Boeing has suffered another setback to its quality reputation by suspending flight testing of its upcoming 777X wide-body jet after discovering the breakdown of a component linking the engine to the aircraft fuselage, the firm informed AFP on Tuesday.
During routine maintenance, the business claimed to have found damage to the customized component, which is located between the engine and the aircraft frame. The remaining three 777-9 aircraft in its test fleet have subsequently been grounded. According to Boeing, there were no further planned flight tests for other aircrafts.
“During scheduled maintenance, we identified a component that did not perform as designed,” the plane and defence manufacturer said, adding “Our team is replacing the part and capturing any learnings from the component and will resume flight testing when ready.”
Boeing advertises the 777X as the "largest and most efficient twin-engine jet in the world," it was scheduled to go into service in 2020, as reported by CNN. By now, it was supposed to have deployed a few hundred of these planes. However, delays and cost surpluses continue to plague it. Its new launch date of 2025 might now be further delayed by yet another hurdle.
Concerns over safety and quality control have plagued Boeing in recent years, and a near-catastrophic incident on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX in January put more strain on the business.
Although more than 500 777X aircraft have been ordered, they have not yet been put into service for commercial use. The initial 2020 deadline has been pushed back to 2025 due to issues encountered during the certification process, AFP reports. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given Boeing the green light to begin testing the 777-9 with FAA staff on board in July.
