US aviation agency issues safety alert over Boeing 737 rudder issue

The FAA Tuesday said it had issued a safety alert to airlines warning of the potential for limited or jammed rudder movement on certain Boeing 737 airplanes. Last week, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said more than 40 foreign operators of Boeing 737 airplanes may be using Max or 737 Next Generation planes with rudder components that could pose safety risks. The FAA said the alert provided information on an existing automated check of the rudder system “that would identify limited or jammed rudder movement during approach prior to landing”. The board on 26 September issued urgent safety recommendations and urged the FAA to take action over the potential for a jammed rudder control system on some 737 airplanes after a February incident involving a United Airlines flight. Last week, the NTSB said 271 impacted parts may be installed on aircraft in service operated by at least 40 foreign air carriers and 16 may still be installed on US-registered aircraft and up to 75 may have been used in aftermarket installation. Boeing, which did not immediately comment on Tuesday, said earlier it had informed affected 737 operators of a “potential condition with the rudder rollout guidance actuator” in August, in what is known as a Multi Operator Message.<br/>