When Boeing's 777-9 enters service, it will be the world’s largest twin-engine airliner. [Courtesy Boeing]
Key Takeaways:
Boeing grounded its entire 777X test fleet after routine maintenance uncovered a faulty thrust link, a critical structural component, on one aircraft.
Subsequent inspections revealed cracks in the thrust links of all three 777X test aircraft, prompting an immediate halt to further flight testing.
The thrust link, a custom titanium component for the 777-9 designed with redundancy, is being assessed by Boeing in coordination with the FAA, potentially impacting the uncertified aircraft's planned 2026 delivery schedule.
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.
