Boeing has paused flight testing of its 777X aircraft after identifying a structural problem in a component between the engine and the wing.
The company said it discovered the issue, first reported by The Air Current, during scheduled maintenance and is replacing the affected part.
“Our team is replacing the part and capturing any learnings from the component and will resume flight testing when ready,” Boeing said in a statement to CNBC.
The 777X, originally slated for a 2020 launch, has faced numerous delays and cost overruns. While Boeing has not confirmed if this latest setback will impact the revised 2025 delivery date, it has grounded the remaining three 777-9 aircraft in its test fleet.
“We have informed the Federal Aviation Administration and our customers,” Boeing stated, noting that 481 orders for the 777X have been placed.
The 777X, marketed as the “world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet,” is expected to provide airlines with a modernized version of the successful 777-300ER.
This latest development comes as Boeing strives to overcome a series of safety and quality concerns that have plagued the company in recent years.
Earlier this year, a 737 MAX flight operated by Alaska Airlines experienced a mid-air blowout of a door plug, highlighting issues with the company’s manufacturing processes.
The company has also been the subject of multiple federal investigations and whistleblower revelations, resulting in significant fines and penalties.
While the problems discovered with the 777X entails a setback for Boeing, it’s important to note that the initial models are prototypes built exactly for this purpose—discovering and correcting any engineering and design errors before production.
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