Urgent Safety Recommendations for Some Boeing 737s Issued by NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued urgent safety recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing. The recommendations, issued on Thursday, address the potential for a jammed or restricted rudder control system on specific 737 Max and NG jets.

Why the Safety Recommendations Were Issued

The recommendations were prompted by a mid-air incident that occurred earlier this year. During the incident, the rudder pedals on a United Airlines Boeing 737-8 Max became stuck in the neutral position during the landing rollout at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey. Rudder pedals are similar to the brake and gas pedals in a car or truck, but they control the aircraft's directional yaw.

About Rudder Controls

After the aircraft touched down, the United pilot used a nosewheel steering tiller to prevent the aircraft from being blown off the runway by crosswind. The NTSB found that one of the rudder control components, a rollout guidance actuator from Collins Aerospace, was defective. In another incident, the actuator was found to be defective in a cold-weather environment. Collins informed Boeing that it had shipped more than 353 defective actuators to the company since 2017. The NTSB report states that Boeing's 737 flight manual instructs pilots to overpower a jammed or restricted rudder by using maximum force, including a combined effort of both pilots. However, the NTSB expressed concern that applying this amount of force during landing or rollout could result in a large input to the rudder pedals and a sudden, large, and undesired rudder deflection. This could unintentionally cause loss of control or departure from a runway.

Another Setback for Boeing

This is yet another setback for Boeing, which has faced a challenging year. The US-based aircraft manufacturer has dealt with a range of incidents, from a mid-air door plug blowout in January to a series of mid-air mishaps across the country. Two weeks ago, a massive strike involving 33,000 unionized employees took place. With many of Boeing's employees on strike, questions arise about who will address the issue with the rudder control components.

Bottom Line

This latest safety recommendation from the NTSB adds to the growing list of challenges faced by Boeing. The potential for a jammed or restricted rudder control system on specific 737 Max and NG jets is a serious concern that needs immediate attention. It raises questions about safety standards and procedures within the aviation industry. What are your thoughts on this matter? Feel free to share this article with your friends and engage in a discussion. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, available every day at 6pm.