A Boeing 777X aircraft performs during an air show on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow in Farnborough, UK, Monday, July 18, 2022.
Jason Aldean | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Boeing British Airways said on Monday it had halted flight tests of its 777X jet after finding damage to the structure of one of the wide-body aircraft.
The company said it discovered the damage to the dedicated section, which it said was between the engine and the fuselage, during scheduled maintenance. The company has since grounded the three other 777-9s in its test fleet. Boeing said no further flight tests have been scheduled for the other planes.
“Our team is working to replace the part and recover any revenue from the component and will resume flight testing when ready,” Boeing said in a statement. It said it has notified the Federal Aviation Administration and its customers, who have ordered 481 777X airplanes, according to Boeing’s website.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether the grounding and the problem would affect certification and deliveries of the new wide-body jet, which is due to be delivered in 2025, about five years behind schedule. Boeing began flight tests of the plane with the Federal Aviation Administration in July, a major milestone.
News, Reported This comes as Boeing leaders, including new CEO Kelly Ortberg, are trying to move the company past a safety crisis that began with a door seal explosion earlier this year.
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