China has officially started ground testing for its first domestically developed narrow-body airliner, the C919.

The aircraft, serial number 01, will need to undergo a total of 13 test modules to verify its structural strength throughout the entire plane.

Besides, a series of ground tests are in preparation for its maiden flight scheduled for this year, including tests on the iron-bird, the avionics systems, and ensure system integration.

"Work related to aircraft maintenance and airworthiness engineering is also being conducted simultaneously," said its developer Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (CAAC).

COMAC is working towards a maiden flight for its C919 narrow-body in the fourth quarter. The company did not give a time frame for the testing, but said that once completed the C919 will embark on its first test flights with the aim of securing the necessary certification from the aviation watchdog.

First C919 prototype was rolled out of the assembly line at the Shanghai factory on November 2, 2015  after seven years of development. The C919 is a narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner with 158-174 seats, a standard range of 4,075 kilometers and an extended range of 5,555 kilometers.

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