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 discovering cracked thrust links, a critical structural component, on one aircraft during routine maintenance and subsequently on all three test planes.
The thrust link is a heavy titanium component custom to the 777-9, designed to transfer thrust between the engine and airframe with built-in redundancy.
Boeing is assessing the issue and keeping the FAA informed, which impacts the uncertified 777X's test schedule ahead of its projected 2026 delivery timeline.
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.
