FAA and Safety Board Urge Boeing to Fix Sticking Rudder Pedals
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is raising concerns about a potential safety issue affecting about 350 Boeing 737 models currently in operation. This follows an incident involving a United Airlines 737 MAX at Newark Liberty International Airport in February.
In this incident, the cockpit pedals that control the jet's rudder got stuck. The NTSB found that the issue could lead to a dangerous situation for pilots during landing. After the landing, the captain reported that the rudder did not respond as expected when pressure was applied to the pedals. The pilot had to rely on the nose wheel steering tiller to keep the plane centered on the runway. Fortunately, no one was injured, and the rudder pedals returned to normal function afterward.
The NTSB's recent recommendations do not mean the affected 737s will be grounded. Instead, the NTSB investigates accidents and issues suggestions based on its findings. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has accepted these recommendations and will assemble an internal panel to discuss potential corrective actions.
The FAA usually issues mandates for airlines to address unsafe conditions but may allow time for fixes during routine maintenance unless there is an immediate risk.
Boeing is currently reviewing the NTSB's recommendations and will provide additional guidance to ensure pilots have the correct procedures in place. According to a preliminary NTSB report, testing revealed that in cold weather, a specific component required more torque to move than the design limits specified. This finding raises concerns about the performance of the rudder system under certain conditions.
The NTSB has advised Boeing to develop new procedures for pilots to avoid complications from stuck rudder pedals. It also suggested that the FAA should investigate whether specific rudder components made by Collins Aerospace should be removed from service until replacements can be provided. The safety board urged the FAA to inform foreign counterparts of similar actions.
Ben Berman, a former NTSB investigator, described the issue as follows: "If you can't make that correction, the airplane is going to go off the side of the runway." This highlights the critical role rudders play in maintaining control, especially during landings.
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