Boeing has halted flight testing of its new 777X wide-body jet after discovering a failure in a component that connects the engine to the aircraft's body. This issue is the latest in a series of quality control problems for the US aerospace company.

Boeing confirmed that during routine maintenance, a part was identified that did not function as expected. The company is now replacing the faulty component and plans to resume flight testing once the issue is resolved.

This setback adds to Boeing's recent challenges, including safety and quality control concerns that have plagued the company. A near-disastrous incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX in January intensified scrutiny on the manufacturer. Boeing's new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, who took the helm earlier this month, has vowed to restore trust in the company and has relocated to Seattle to oversee the firm's commercial airplane programs more closely.

The 777X program, launched in November 2013, is the latest addition to Boeing's 777 family. The 777X is set to become the world's largest twin-engine jet, with over 500 orders already placed. However, the aircraft has faced significant delays, with its entry into commercial service now pushed back to 2025 due to issues during the certification process. Although it has not yet received approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Boeing did achieve a milestone in July by obtaining permission to start testing the 777-9 with FAA representatives on board.

Despite the setbacks, Boeing has recently seen a rebound in plane orders. In July, the company reported 72 new orders, including 57 for its 737 MAX, following the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK. Additionally, El Al finalized orders for up to 31 737 MAX aircraft, marking the largest purchase in the Israeli airline's history.