Crack found in GE9X mid-seal during January 2026 inspection

A crack was found in the mid-seal of the GE9X engine during an inspection in January 2026, according to an account of the discovery. The engine powers the Boeing 777X, which remains in development.

The finding was described as more than a routine technical setback. It points to the difficulties engineers face when scaling engine performance to sizes and operating conditions not previously reached in commercial aviation. The GE9X is a departure from incremental design improvements rather than an evolution of earlier engines, pushing limits of size, airflow, pressure and temperature.

Its 134-inch fan is central to that. The source frames the fan's dimensions as creating engineering problems without parallel in other jet engines. No details were given on the cause of the crack or on any resulting actions.