Rudder Trouble Alert for Boeing 737

Boeing 737 Rudder Issue Raises Alarm

The Indian aviation authority has implemented new safety protocols for Boeing 737 aircraft due to concerns about potential risks associated with their rudder control systems. The aircraft rudder is a crucial component for controlling the jet's movement. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instructed airlines that operate Boeing 737 aircraft to carry out safety risk assessments and to temporarily suspend certain types of instrument landing.

"All flight crews are to be informed through a circular/advisory regarding the possibility of a Jammed or restricted Rudder control system. Appropriate mitigations must be communicated," DGCA said in a statement.

Pilots need to be trained to recognize and address this issue, and some advanced landing techniques will be temporarily suspended as part of the safety measures. The safety measures will impact auto-landing operations, especially during winter when low-visibility landings are more frequent. Once the issue is resolved, landings in low visibility, fog, or poor weather will be feasible.

The recent safety concerns directly affect several airlines in India, including Air India Express, Akasa, SpiceJet, and the Indian Air Force, all of which operate different versions of the Boeing 737 jetliner. The Boeing 737 is a widely used aircraft in India and is even used for VIP transport, including carrying the Prime Minister and the President. The DGCA has acknowledged a report from the US National Transportation Safety Board that raises safety concerns related to the rudder control system on certain Boeing 737 planes.

The NTSB has issued safety recommendations regarding the potential risk of jammed rudder controls on certain 737 aircraft. This report comes after a February incident in which the rudder pedals were jammed in the neutral position on a 737 Max 8 aircraft during landing in Newark. Fortunately, there were no injuries. Boeing has not yet commented on the report.