Urgent Safety Warnings Issued Over Rudder Issues on Boeing 737s

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued emergency recommendations regarding the rudder control systems on certain Boeing 737 aircraft. The urgent notice follows an investigation into a United Airlines flight where the rudder pedals became jammed. The NTSB advises Boeing and the FAA on corrective actions.

The National Transportation Safety Board on Thursday issued urgent safety recommendations concerning the potential for a jammed rudder control system on some Boeing 737 airplanes. This comes after a February incident involving a United Airlines flight where the rudder pedals became stuck in the neutral position during landing at Newark. Fortunately, there were no injuries among the 161 passengers and crew.

United Airlines reported that the rudder control parts in question were installed in only nine of their 737 aircraft, which were originally built for other airlines. The airline confirmed these components were removed earlier this year. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it has closely monitored the situation and will convene a corrective action review board on Friday to determine next steps based on the NTSB's interim recommendations.

The NTSB confirmed that no 737s currently operating in the United States are using the affected actuators, which included an optional landing system in some 737 MAX and prior-generation 737 NG planes. The board recommended Boeing notify flight crews about the potential for the rudder control system to jam due to moisture accumulation and to determine appropriate responses for pilots. Additionally, the NTSB advised the FAA to consider removing actuators produced by Collins Aerospace, a unit of RTX, from airplanes and to potentially halt the use of affected planes until replacements are installed.

(With inputs from agencies.)