NTSB Urges Boeing to Take Urgent Action on Jammed Rudder Control System in 737 Planes

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued urgent safety recommendations concerning the potential for a jammed rudder control system on certain Boeing 737 airplanes. This comes in the wake of a February incident involving a United Airlines flight. The NTSB is currently investigating the incident, which involved the rudder pedals on a United Boeing 737 MAX 8 getting "stuck" in the neutral position during a landing at Newark. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the 161 passengers and crew on board.

United Airlines Response and FAA's Monitoring

United Airlines has stated that the affected rudder control parts were in use in only nine of its 737 aircraft, which were originally built for other airlines. The airline has assured that these components were removed earlier this year. In response to the situation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been closely monitoring the matter. The agency has announced its intention to convene a corrective action review board based on the NTSB's interim recommendations. They aim to assess the situation and determine the necessary next steps.

The FAA further clarified that United Airlines was the only U.S. operator utilizing the components in question, and they believe that these components are no longer in service.

NTSB Recommendations and Collins Aerospace's Involvement

In its recommendations, the NTSB urged Boeing to notify flight crews about the possibility of the rudder control system jamming due to moisture accumulation inside the actuators, which could freeze. The NTSB emphasized the need for Boeing to determine appropriate flight crew responses, beyond applying maximum pedal force, for such situations in flight or during landing.

Additionally, the NTSB recommended that the FAA investigate whether some actuators produced by Collins Aerospace, a unit of RTX, should be removed from airplanes. They advised halting the use of these planes until replacement units are installed. Furthermore, they urged the FAA to notify international aviation regulators if they decide that the components should be removed.

Collins Aerospace's Assembly Error and Its Implications

Collins Aerospace has acknowledged that a bearing was incorrectly assembled during the production of the actuators. This issue has affected more than 353 actuators delivered to Boeing since February 2017, according to the NTSB. Boeing has not provided an immediate response to the situation, and RTX has yet to comment on the matter.

The timely response of the NTSB and the proactive measures being taken by relevant authorities highlight the importance of ensuring the safety of aviation operations, particularly concerning the functionality of critical components in aircraft.