Boeing scrapped an undelivered 777-9 rather than pay for rework
Boeing dismantled a brand-new 777-9 that had sat unpainted for delivery for six years, after concluding that bringing the airframe up to current safety standards would cost more than building a replacement.
Boeing scrapped an undelivered 777-9, cutting the fuselage up for aluminium rather than doing the work required to put it into service, according to an account of what happened to the aircraft.
The widebody was finished and wore full airline livery, yet it sat parked for six years and never flew commercially. Modifying the airframe to meet current safety standards would have cost substantially more than building a new jet, so Boeing chose to break it up instead of continuing toward a standard delivery. Workers unbolted its components, then cut the fuselage into scrap.
The 777-9 is the larger of the two models in the 777X family. This aircraft was never certified for commercial service.
Sources
- simpleflying.comBoeing Quietly Dismantled A Brand-New 777-9 After Deciding The Rework Cost More Than The Jet