NTSB Issues Urgent Safety Recommendations for Boeing 737 Rudder Systems
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently issued urgent safety recommendations regarding the rudder systems on certain Boeing 737 aircraft due to risks of jamming. This comes in the wake of a concerning incident involving a Boeing 737 MAX 8 operated by United Airlines.
Incident Details
- The incident occurred on February 6, when the rudder pedals of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 were stuck in the neutral position after landing at Newark airport in New Jersey.
- The captain had to use the nose landing gear controls to steer the plane, as the rudder system was unresponsive.
- Fortunately, none of the passengers or crew members were injured during the incident.
Root Cause Analysis
The NTSB determined that the cause of the issue was the rollout guidance actuator, a component of the rudder control system. Tests revealed that this actuator was susceptible to moisture, which could freeze and limit the movement of the rudder system.
The faulty actuator was manufactured by US company Collins Aerospace, which notified Boeing that a significant number of actuators delivered since February 2017 were affected by this condition.
Regulatory Response
In response to the NTSB’s recommendations, the Federal Aviation Authority will convene a corrective action review board to determine the next steps in addressing this safety concern.
Boeing’s Safety Record
Boeing has been under scrutiny following a series of safety incidents involving its aircraft. This includes a recent incident with an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9, where a door plug blew out mid-flight, causing damage to the aircraft.
These incidents raise concerns about Boeing’s quality control and production processes, especially in light of the tragic crashes of two 737 MAX aircraft in 2018 and 2019, resulting in the loss of 346 lives.
Leadership Changes
In response to these challenges, Boeing underwent a leadership reshuffle in March, with Kelly Ortberg taking over as the new CEO. Ortberg, who previously led Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace), brings a wealth of experience to address the company’s safety and quality concerns.
Boeing’s commitment to addressing these safety issues and improving its aircraft systems will be crucial in restoring trust in the aviation industry and ensuring the safety of passengers and crew members.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as regulators and aviation experts work together to enhance the safety of Boeing aircraft.