Boeing Suspends 777-9 Test Flights Due to Structural Issues

Boeing Pauses 777-9 Test Flights Due to Structural Issues

Boeing announced on Tuesday that it has temporarily suspended test flights of its 777-9 aircraft, a large passenger jet that has already faced years of developmental delays. The decision comes after the company identified a problem with a critical structural component located within the engine housing during routine maintenance on one of the four test planes.

According to Boeing, none of the three remaining test aircraft had any flights scheduled at the time of the discovery. Each engine on the 777-9 is equipped with a redundant version of the affected part, which is custom-designed specifically for this model.

The company is undertaking the replacement of the problematic part and conducting a thorough investigation across all planes. Boeing stated, “We will resume flight testing when we are ready.” This pause marks yet another setback in the ongoing development of the 777X series, which starts with the 777-9.

The 777-9 is a state-of-the-art, twin-aisle aircraft tailored for long-haul international travel. It boasts the capability of accommodating approximately 426 passengers over a distance exceeding 7,200 nautical miles. Boeing also has plans for a slightly smaller variant, known as the 777-8, which will possess an extended range, as well as a cargo version, the 777-8 Freighter.

Although Boeing did not specify how long the testing pause might last, it remains uncertain whether this will delay the anticipated first delivery of the 777-9, which the company had projected for next year. The Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.) confirmed that Boeing informed the agency about the issue last week and indicated that it plans to keep the F.A.A. updated on its progress and findings.

The news of the testing pause was first reported by The Air Current, an aviation news service. Boeing had initiated flights for F.A.A. certification of the 777-9 in July, although the company had been conducting independent tests for a considerable period prior. As of the end of last month, the test fleet had completed over 1,300 flights across various regions and conditions, as noted by Dave Calhoun, the former chief executive of Boeing, during a call with investor analysts.

Calhoun stepped down from his position this month and was succeeded by Kelly Ortberg, the former chief executive of Rockwell Collins, a significant supplier to Boeing and a direct competitor to Airbus. Calhoun’s departure followed a troubling incident in January, where a panel from a Boeing 737 Max detached mid-flight on an Alaska Airlines journey. Fortunately, there were no significant injuries reported from that event. However, it, along with an earlier crisis involving two fatal crashes of the 737 Max five years ago, has hampered Boeing’s production capabilities and exacerbated the growing divide between Boeing and its rival, Airbus.