NTSB Warns Over 40 Airlines Using Boeing 737s With Unsafe Rudder Components

In a significant safety alert, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has raised concerns that over 40 international airlines may be operating Boeing 737 aircraft equipped with potentially hazardous rudder components. As reported by Reuters.

This warning comes on the heels of urgent safety recommendations issued last Thursday, following a February incident involving a United Airlines flight that experienced a jammed rudder control system.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy expressed her worries in a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Mike Whitaker, stating, “We are concerned about the possibility that other airlines are unaware of the presence of these actuators on their 737 airplanes.” This revelation highlights a broader safety issue, as the NTSB also disclosed that two foreign operators encountered similar incidents in 2019, which involved faulty rollout guidance actuators.

This latest development is another setback for Boeing, which has recently faced scrutiny over safety concerns. Earlier this year, a mid-air emergency involving an Alaska Airlines MAX 9 raised alarms after it was discovered that the aircraft was missing four critical bolts.

Furthermore, the NTSB is currently investigating a separate incident in which the rudder pedals of a United Boeing 737 Max 8 became “stuck” in a neutral position during landing at Newark Airport. Thankfully, no injuries were reported among the 161 passengers and crew onboard.

Following these revelations, Boeing’s stock saw a decline of 2.7% on Monday. The NTSB identified 271 impact parts that might be installed on in-service aircraft operated by at least 40 foreign air carriers. Additionally, it noted that 16 of these parts could still be installed on U.S.-registered aircraft, with up to 75 used in aftermarket installations.

Homendy voiced her concerns that the FAA did not address this issue with the urgency it warranted until the NTSB issued its urgent safety recommendation report. In response, the FAA stated that it is taking the NTSB’s recommendations seriously and plans to conduct additional simulator testing in October.

In a bid to ensure the safety of the flying public, the FAA corrective action review board met last Friday, and the agency is moving swiftly to convene a call with the affected civil aviation authorities. This collaboration aims to ensure these authorities receive vital information from the FAA, including any recommended actions to address the issue.