When Boeing's 777-9 enters service, it will be the world’s largest twin-engine airliner. [Courtesy Boeing]
Key Takeaways:
Boeing has grounded its entire 777X test fleet after routine maintenance revealed faulty or cracked thrust links on all three test aircraft.
The thrust link is a critical, custom-designed titanium structural component responsible for transferring engine thrust between the engine and the airframe.
This discovery, reported to the FAA and customers, adds to the certification challenges for the 777X, which is not yet FAA-certified and has deliveries slated for 2026.
Boeing engineers are taking a closer look at the wings of the 777 after routine maintenance on the 777X—the aircraft used for test flying—found a faulty thrust link.
Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
