The 777 is Boeing’s workhorse. Flies long routes all over the world, generally very reliable. But like any complex machine, it’s had its issues over the years.
The Engine Thing
That United flight in 2021 where the engine failed and rained debris on Denver suburbs? That brought attention to Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines. Fan blade fatigue was the culprit. Led to inspections and grounding of affected aircraft.
Engines are inspected constantly for exactly this reason. One incident triggers industry-wide reviews.
Other Historical Issues
Fuel tank safety – FAA directive addressed potential spark risks. Boeing made design changes. Standard process when problems are identified.
Wiring concerns – chafing and potential fire risks led to inspection requirements and rerouting fixes.
Software bugs in flight control systems – patched with updates. Modern aircraft are flying computers, and computers have bugs.
How Issues Get Addressed
FAA issues Airworthiness Directives. Boeing develops fixes. Airlines implement them. Inspections become mandatory. The system works, even if the process isn’t always fast.
Every fix makes the fleet safer. Aircraft that have been flying for decades have had most issues discovered and addressed.
Perspective
The 777 has an excellent safety record overall. Millions of flights. Issues get attention because they’re newsworthy, but statistically it’s among the safest ways to travel.
Aviation learns from every incident. That’s why it keeps getting safer despite increasing traffic.
