Summary Boeing has discovered cracks on the thrust links on the fourth 777X flight test aircraft, registered as N779XZ. The first severed and subsequent cracked thrust links were found a few days ago. It has remained unclear whether this will affect the delivery date of the first Boeing 777X aircraft.
Boeing has found that the fourth 777X test aircraft, which has stayed dormant since at least November 2021, has cracked thrust links, a problem that has affected the whole 777X test fleet. Affecting another 777X test aircraft According to a report by Aviation Week , citing sources familiar with the matter, cracks were found in at least one of the two thrust links on one of the engines of a 777X registered as N779XZ. The sources also told the publication that Boeing has been communicating with customers about the problem and that the manufacturer has been unable to determine the source of the cracks.
However, N779XZ has not flown since November 18, 2021, when Boeing ferried the widebody jet from Seattle Boeing Field (BFI) to Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE), which was then known simply as Paine Field. One of the testbeds has been flying nearly everyday. Severed thrust links On August 19, The Air Current first reported that Boeing has suspended the 777X flight testing program after it had found that one of two thrust links on an engine of the 777X, registered as N779XY, was severed.
Further inspections revealed cracks on other 777X test aircraft, including N779XW, N.