Boeing has halted test flights of a new version of its 777 jetliner. The aircraft manufacturer announced this Tuesday, international news agencies report. One of the four test aircraft was found to have cracks in the thrust link; a component that distributes weight between the engines and the rest of the aircraft.
The Boeing 777X was originally scheduled to enter service in 2020, but due to design and certification issues, it is now targeted for 2025. Also, the aircraft still has not received a green light from the U.S. aviation authority FAA.
It was also announced Wednesday that the FAA is demanding inspections of the cockpit seats in another model, the Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Earlier this year, one of those planes went into a dive when the captain’s seat shot forward without warning and disconnected the autopilot system. Dozens of passengers were injured. The FAA will apply its safety order to all 158 aircraft of this model registered in the United States.
Photo Rob Vogelaar
