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NTSB issues ‘urgent' safety warning for some Boeing 737s, including MAX, in latest blow to struggling planemaker

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Urgent Safety Recommendations Issued for Boeing 737s #

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued urgent safety recommendations for certain Boeing 737 models, including the 737 MAX line, due to concerns about potential jamming of critical flight controls.

The warning comes after an investigation into a February incident where pilots of a 737 MAX 8 reported their rudder pedals “stuck” in the neutral position during landing. The NTSB is concerned that an actuator attached to the rudder on some 737 NG and 737 MAX airplanes could fail.

This issue adds to a series of challenges Boeing has faced recently, including a mid-air blowout of a door plug in January and an ongoing worker strike.

The current flight manual instructs pilots to use maximum force, including combined efforts of both pilots, to overpower a jammed or restricted rudder system. However, the NTSB warns that applying such force during landing or rollout could result in a sudden, large, and undesired rudder deflection, potentially causing loss of control or runway departure.

The NTSB recommends that Boeing develop an alternative solution and warn pilots about this issue. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) states it is closely monitoring the situation and will determine next steps based on the NTSB’s interim recommendations.

Only one U.S. airline reportedly uses the components in question on their 737s, and these are no longer in use.

Recent Boeing Challenges #

Boeing has faced numerous issues in recent years:

  1. Two fatal crashes of 737 Max planes in 2018 and 2019, resulting in 346 deaths and a 20-month grounding of the aircraft.

  2. Ongoing scrutiny of plane quality and safety.

  3. A door plug blowout incident on a 737 Max in January 2023, leading to federal investigations.

  4. Agreement to plead guilty to federal criminal charges for deceiving the FAA during the initial 737 Max investigation.

  5. Requirement to operate under court-appointed monitor supervision.

These ongoing issues continue to present significant challenges for the aerospace manufacturer.