Boeing as 777X test fleet GROUNDED after cracks found in structure that connects wings & engines
It is the latest blow for the plane manufacturer after a number of issues in the past few years
Georgie English, Foreign News Reporter
BOEING has been forced to ground its whole fleet of 777X test planes after cracks were found in the structure.
Workers reportedly found a concerning fracture on three out of four of the aircraft which had caused damage to a crucial engine component.
The initial test plane to be inspected was found to have a crack in it after it landed in Hawaii with an impaired structure over the weekend.
Two more planes were then checked once they touched down and found to have cracks in the crucial part of the assembly as well.
According to two sources close to Boeing, the issue led to the engine's "thrust link" onboard being severed.
Thrust links are responsible for transferring the huge thrust of an engine to the structure of the jet through a titanium link sat beneath the wings.
A statement from Boeing to news outlet The Air Current said: "During scheduled maintenance, we identified a component that did not perform as designed.
"Our team is replacing the part and capturing any learnings from the component and will resume flight testing when ready.
"We are keeping the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) fully informed on the issue and have shared information with our customers."
Boeing has previously labelled the 777X as one of their most state-of-the-art aircraft after years of development
It is the latest blow for the plane manufacturer after a number of issues in the past few years
Georgie English, Foreign News Reporter
BOEING has been forced to ground its whole fleet of 777X test planes after cracks were found in the structure.
Workers reportedly found a concerning fracture on three out of four of the aircraft which had caused damage to a crucial engine component.
The initial test plane to be inspected was found to have a crack in it after it landed in Hawaii with an impaired structure over the weekend.
Two more planes were then checked once they touched down and found to have cracks in the crucial part of the assembly as well.
According to two sources close to Boeing, the issue led to the engine's "thrust link" onboard being severed.
Thrust links are responsible for transferring the huge thrust of an engine to the structure of the jet through a titanium link sat beneath the wings.
A statement from Boeing to news outlet The Air Current said: "During scheduled maintenance, we identified a component that did not perform as designed.
"Our team is replacing the part and capturing any learnings from the component and will resume flight testing when ready.
"We are keeping the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) fully informed on the issue and have shared information with our customers."
Boeing has previously labelled the 777X as one of their most state-of-the-art aircraft after years of development
