Boeing has halted flight tests of its new 777X wide-body jet after a fault was discovered in a part that connects the engine to the fuselage, the latest in a long line of quality control problems for the troubled US airline giant.
“During scheduled maintenance, we identified a component that was not performing as expected,” Boeing said. “Our team is replacing the part and learning from the component — and will resume flight testing when ready,” it added, confirming an earlier report from The Air Current.
Delay in roadmap
The problem is the latest setback in Boeing’s efforts to certify its largest jet, which is already about five years behind schedule after the company finally began flight testing with U.S. regulators on the plane in July. The company has been in crisis since a mid-air explosion of one of its planes earlier this year cast a spotlight on its production and safety.
“The grounding could push the 777X delivery forecast back, perhaps into 2026,” RBC Capital analyst Ken Herbert said in a note, predicting the 777X program will likely face an “extended approval period.”
Stock Performance
Boeing shares fell 0.9% in U.S. trading Tuesday. The stock has fallen 31% this year.
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