BOEING IS braced for further delays to the 777X programme after the company announced a problem involving an engine-related component. A thrust-link – which is designed to transfer thrust from the engine to the aircraft structure – on one of the manufacturer’s test aircraft was found to “not perform as designed”. The test fleet was subsequently grounded and the timeline for the type’s entry into service is now uncertain.
In a statement the Seattle-based manufacturer said: “Our team is replacing the part and capturing any learnings from the component, and will resume flight testing when ready.”