US aircraft maker Boeing said on Monday it has halted test flights of its 777X model due to damage found in a structural component between the engine and the plane’s structure
“During scheduled maintenance, we identified a component that did not perform as designed. Our team is replacing the part and capturing all lessons learned from the component and will resume flight testing when complete,” the company said in an email.
Online aviation news service The Air Current had previously reported that a problem had been identified in one of the engine-to-wing coupling elements on one of Boeing’s 777-9 model test aircraft.
Prior to that, the aircraft had completed a flight from Hawaii that lasted over five hours, according to the report.
The Air Current cited sources who say cracks were found in the same structure on other test fleet 777-9 aircraft.
Boeing did not provide further details but stressed that no flights of the other test aircraft were planned in the near future. It added that it was “inspecting the flight test fleet” for the problem.
Boeing said the faulty part was used only in its 777-9 model, adding that it was keeping the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) informed.
Boeing originally unveiled the 777X as the successor to the widely used 777 in 2013 with a first service date set for 2020.
Due to major delays in development and certification, as well as simultaneous difficulties with other aircraft types, Boeing has delayed the delivery of the first 777X by several years to 2025.
The delay has cost Boeing billions of dollars.