US FAA issues safety alert over Boeing 737 rudder issue

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Source: Reuters

The Federal Aviation Administration said on Tuesday it issued, opens new tab a safety alert to airlines warning of the potential for limited or jammed rudder movement on certain Boeing 737 airplanes after a safety official urged the agency to take action.

The National Transportation Safety Board on Sept. 26 issued urgent safety recommendations to Boeing and the FAA after investigating the potential for rudder issues in some 737 airplanes, which prompted the FAA to convene a corrective action review board.

The NTSB recommendation came as they investigate a February incident involving a United Airlines flight. The safety alert directs pilots and airline operators to review Boeing's procedure for responding to a jammed rudder but does not require airlines to replace the parts that can stick.

Last week, the NTSB said more than 40 foreign operators of Boeing 737 airplanes may be using 737 or 737 Next Generation planes with rudder components that could pose safety risks.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-faa-issues-safety-alert-over-boeing-737-rudder-issue-2024-10-08/

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1. This would not be the first time of rudder issues on the 737

During the 1990s, a series of issues affecting the rudder of Boeing 737 passenger aircraft resulted in multiple incidents. In two separate accidents (United Airlines Flight 585 and USAir Flight 427), pilots lost control of their aircraft due to a sudden and unexpected rudder movement, and the resulting crashes killed everyone on board, 157 people in total.[1] Similar rudder issues led to a temporary loss of control on at least one other Boeing 737 flight before the cause of the problem was ultimately identified.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_737_rudder_issues#:~:text=In%20two%20separate%20accidents%20(United,board%2C%20157%20people%20in%20total.