Company Forced To Ground Test Fleet of 777X Model

On August 19, Boeing discovered structural damage on their new 777X model. They decided to put a pause on testing, postponing delivery to 2025.

Boeing’s 777 model began service in 1995. It has been a big hit in the commercial industry, with almost 2,000 having been delivered so far. Several popular variants have been produced, including the 777-200, 777-200ER, 777-300, and 777-300ER. Recently, in an attempt to modernize the aging airliner, Boeing produced the 777X program. This included the 777-8 and 777-9 variants. It was presented in 2013, and was originally supposed to enter service in 2020. The company confidently claimed that it would be the “world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet” on the market.

The 777X model has, instead, turned out to be Boeing’s latest problem child, experiencing a number of expensive setbacks in production. The latest is within a component connecting the engine to the wing. Boeing inspectors noticed the issue after the aircraft, WH003, completed a five-hour flight from Hawaii.

"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," Boeing stated.

Boeing noted that the defective part was only used in the 777-9 variant of the 777X. They are inspecting the test fleet for issues, and grounding the aircraft until they can further analyze and resolve the issue.

This stumble follows, as many already know, a long list of safety concerns with Boeing’s previous models. It delivers yet another staggering hit to Boeing’s reputation for quality, with delivery being pushed back 5 years… and counting.

FMI: www.boeing.com