(New York) Boeing has suspended flight tests of its new 777X plane after discovering the failure of a part connecting the engine to the body of the aircraft, the American manufacturer said on Tuesday, confirming information from the specialist website The Air Current.
“During a maintenance operation, we identified that a component had not behaved as expected,” explained the aircraft manufacturer, specifying that the part would be replaced.
Boeing teams are currently studying this element “and will resume test flights when ready,” according to the company.
The incriminated part concerns the 777-9 model and connects the engine to the structure of the aircraft.
The three other 777-9s that are being used for testing are being inspected following the incident, Boeing said.
Boeing’s 777X widebody program, unveiled in November 2013, is the latest addition to the 777 family.
It has already sold more than 500 copies, but it has still not entered commercial exploitation.
This twin-aisle aircraft is intended to be the largest operational twin-engine jet in the world.
The Airbus A380 and Boeing 747, two large aircraft that are no longer manufactured, were equipped with four engines.
It comes in three versions, 777-8, 777-9 and 777-8 freighter.
Its entry into service was originally scheduled for 2020, but due to problems during the certification process, it is now anticipated for 2025. It has still not received the green light from the American civil aviation regulator (FAA).
After conducting numerous test flights, Boeing was granted permission to begin testing the 777-9 with FAA representatives on board in July, a step considered important.