San Francisco, September 30 (Xinhua) -- The National Transportation Safety Board of the United States announced on September 30 that at least 40 Boeing 737 aircraft operated by foreign airlines may be using faulty rudder actuators, posing safety risks.
The National Transportation Safety Board of the United States has stated that at least 40 foreign airlines may have installed the above-mentioned problematic components on their active aircraft. We are concerned that other airlines may not be aware of the presence of these actuators on their 737 aircraft, "said Jennifer Homendi, the chairman of the agency, in a letter to Federal Aviation Administration Director Mike Whittaker
The National Transportation Safety Board of the United States is investigating a related accident. In February of this year, a Boeing 737-8 (MAX model) aircraft operated by United Airlines landed at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and the rudder pedal got stuck while taxiing on the runway. At that time, the captain had to control the plane through the steering handle in the cockpit, without causing any casualties. The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed on the 30th that two foreign operators also encountered similar accidents in 2019.
Boeing aircraft component supplier Collins Aerospace has confirmed that during the production process of this type of rudder actuator, incorrect assembly of sealed bearings can easily cause moisture, leading to icing and limiting the rudder system. Since February 2017, Collins Aerospace has delivered at least 353 problematic components to Boeing and installed them on some Boeing 737NG and 737MAX models.
The National Transportation Safety Board issued emergency safety recommendations to Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration on September 26th. The committee stated that the rudder actuator is located at the tail of the aircraft and is designed to control the rudder during approach, landing, and taxiing. The Boeing 737 flight manual instructs pilots to apply maximum force to overcome a rudder jam or restriction. But the National Transportation Safety Board of the United States is concerned that applying such a large force during landing or taxiing operations may cause excessive force on the rudder pedal, causing the rudder to suddenly move, resulting in the aircraft losing control or deviating from the runway.
The National Transportation Safety Board of the United States recommends that Boeing revise its flight manual and remove the recommendation for pilots to use maximum pedal force to control a stuck rudder. The committee also recommends that the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States decide whether to remove problematic components from the aircraft. If the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States determines that these components should be dismantled, it should also notify aviation regulatory agencies in other countries.