NTSB Reports Boeing 737s With Rudder Issue

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board or the NTSB on Monday said that more than 40 foreign operators of Boeing 737 airplanes are under risk. This is because they could be using aircraft with rudder components that may pose safety risks. The NTSB last week issued urgent safety recommendations about the potential for a jammed rudder control system. This was issued on some Boeing 737 airplanes after a February incident involving a United Airlines flight.

The NTSB also disclosed on Monday that it has learned two foreign operators suffered similar incidents in 2019. This was strongly involving regarding the rollout guidance actuators.

“We are concerned of the possibility that other airlines are unaware of the presence of these actuators on their 737 airplanes,” Jennifer Homendy, chair of the NTSB, said Monday in a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administrator Mike Whitaker.

The NTSB is investigating an incident in which the rudder pedals on a United Boeing 737 MAX 8 were “stuck”. That too in the neutral position during a landing at the airport in Newark, N.J. Reports came around that there were no injuries to the 161 passengers and crew.

What More Has The NTSB Said?

The NTSB said 271 impact parts may be installed on aircraft in service. This was operated by at least 40 foreign air carriers, while 16 may still be installed on U.S.-registered aircraft. It said up to 75 of these, may have been used in aftermarket installation.

CBC News has reached out to Air Canada, WestJet, Flair Airlines and Sunwing Airlines for the confirmation. Whether it is or not among the 40 foreign air carriers referred to by the NTSB.

In an email to CBC News on Monday evening, a WestJet spokesperson confirmed that the component of concern is not present in any of its aircraft.

Flair Airlines effectively said it follows safety recommendations and airworthiness directives. All of which are issued by Boeing, the FAA, NTSB, Transport Canada, and other relevant authorities. 

“The safety of our passengers and crew is paramount, and we will continue to meet or exceed all safety protocols to ensure the utmost protection across every flight, read a statement from the airline.

Other airlines have yet to respond to this. On the other hand, various news channels have contacted the NTSB for further news.

More on NTSB…

Homendy on this matter said that she was concerned that the FAA “did not take this issue more seriously. Not until people have issued an urgent safety recommendation report.”

The FAA also said it was taking the NTSB recommendations seriously. Especially, the ones which were scheduled to do an additional simulator testing in October.

An FAA corrective action review board met on Friday, and the agency said that it is “moving quickly to convene a call. This has been done with the affected civil aviation authorities to ensure they have the information they need from the FAA including any recommended actions.”

What Have Other Airlines Said On This Matter?

United Airlines said last week that the rudder control parts at issue were in use in only nine of its Boeing 737 aircraft. This was originally built for other airlines; the components of which were all removed earlier this year.

The NTSB said on Thursday there are no 737s at U.S. airlines operating with the affected actuators. All of which were installed in some 737 MAX and prior-generation 737 NG planes. These increasingly included an optional landing system.

Boeing said in August that it had informed “affected 737 operators of a potential condition with the rudder rollout guidance actuator.” However, it did not immediately comment on Monday.

About NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident. This is specially with relation to the United States and significant events in the other modes of transportation—railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. This organisations helps to determine the probable causes of the accidents and events we investigate and issue safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences. 

In addition, the board also conducta transportation safety research studies and offer information. It also offers other assistance to family members and survivors for each accident or event which is investigated.