By SEATTLE — Boeing has grounded its entire fleet of 777X test aircraft after discovering cracks in a critical structural component connecting the wings and engines, the company confirmed Monday. This setback marks the latest in a series of challenges for the aerospace giant, further delaying the commercial deployment of its newest wide-body jet.
According to sources familiar with the matter, workers identified a concerning fracture in three out of four test aircraft. The issue was first detected on the initial test plane after it landed in Hawaii with an impaired structure over the weekend. Subsequent inspections of two more planes upon landing revealed similar cracks in the crucial assembly.
The problem reportedly led to the severance of the engine’s “thrust link,” a vital component responsible for transferring the engine’s thrust to the aircraft’s structure through a titanium link situated beneath the wings.
In a statement to The Air Current, a Boeing spokesperson said, “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.”
The company added that it is keeping the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) fully informed about the issue and has shared information with its customers.
This latest setback pushes the commercial deployment of the 777X, initially slated for 2020, to at least 2025. Emirates President Sir Tim Clark, whose airline has ordered 200 of the aircraft, now anticipates deliveries no earlier than 2026.
The 777X, touted by Boeing as one of its most advanced aircraft, features new composite wings and an increased cabin size allowing for more seats. The planes are equipped with new GE9X engines manufactured by General Electric, unique to Boeing due to each engine using two thrust links made of heavy titanium.
The FAA had recently allowed Boeing to conduct test flights for the 777X, making this grounding particularly significant. Boeing has confirmed that the FAA is aware of the latest issues.
This incident adds to a string of problems Boeing has faced in recent years:
1. In July, a Boeing 737 jet operated by American Airlines suffered a burst tire on takeoff.
2. Earlier this year, a wheel detached from a fully loaded Boeing 757 aircraft seconds after takeoff from Los Angeles International Airport.
3. In June, a Virgin Atlantic jumbo jet experienced a cracked windshield at 40,000 feet.
4. Boeing recently agreed to plead guilty to criminal fraud conspiracy charges related to two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019, which killed a total of 346 people. The company will pay a $243.6 million fine to resolve a U.S. Justice Department investigation.
The 777X grounding raises further questions about Boeing’s quality control and design processes. Aviation experts are closely monitoring the situation, as the outcome could have significant implications for the company’s reputation and future aircraft development programs.
As Boeing works to address these issues, airlines with outstanding orders for the 777X, including Qatar Airways with 20 aircraft already manufactured, are likely to face additional delays in expanding their fleets.
The company faces the challenge of resolving these technical issues while rebuilding trust in its engineering capabilities and safety standards. The aviation industry and regulatory bodies will be watching closely as Boeing navigates this latest setback in its efforts to bring the 777X to market.
