The Boeing 737-900 made its maiden flight from Renton, Washington, on 3 August, marking the start of a planned 380h flight test effort. Deliveries are due to begin early next year.
The 2h 58min flight was cut short by several minutes after a vibration mode was detected in the tail.
"The original plan was a full production flight, and we probably did around 90% of it," says John Cashman, Boeing director of flight crew operations. "But we had a vibration in the tail end when the elevators were kicked, so we cut four or five of the last test conditions at higher altitudes," says Cashman. Tests omitted included some pressurisation checks and engine relights.
Despite the vibration, the 737-900 was flown to 340kts, or close to the aircraft's Vmo at altitudes of up to 16,000ft. The only other unplanned event was the failure of the static test cone to retract back into the aircraft prior to landing.
Source: Flight International
