Boeing continues to analyze an engine component problem experienced by its 777X test planes, which could jeopardize the jet's entry into service next year. In August, the planemaker temporarily grounded its 777-9 test fleet after discovering broken thrust links on one of its 777-9 testbeds, with subsequent inspections of other aircraft finding cracks in the same component. Boeing 777-9 thrust link probe continues According to a report by FlightGlobal , Boeing said it is " working to understand the root-cause corrective action " of the thrust link issue, which has grounded its 777-9 test fleet and paused certification progress with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The company's Chief Financial Officer, Brian West, said last week, "Once that is determined, they will be able to understand the path forward and any impact to scheduling. The team is well underway to work out these next steps..
. We have to give the team time to assess the situation." Last month, Boeing found what it described as " a component that did not perform as designed " during a post-flight inspection of one of its 777-9 test planes, registered as N779XY.
The plane had just completed a test flight in Hawaii on August 15th, lasting over five hours, when the failed part was discovered. The component in question is a titanium thrust link, which transfers thrust generated by the 777X's GE9X engines to the airframe. Boeing then discovered cracks in thrust links on other 777-9 testbeds too.
One of these p.