Over 40 Airlines at Risk Due to Faulty Boeing 737 Rudder Components, and More

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NTSB Issues Urgent Safety Warning for Boeing 737 Rudder Control Parts

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued an urgent safety warning to Boeing 737 operators, cautioning that over 40 foreign airlines may be using planes with faulty rudder control parts.

The warning comes after investigations into incidents involving jammed rudder control systems on some Boeing 737 aircraft.

The faulty components, supplied by Collins Aerospace, could lead to a loss of rudder control, particularly in cold weather conditions

Key Points

• The NTSB is concerned that airlines may be unaware of the presence of these faulty actuators on their 737 airplanes.
• 271 impact parts may be installed on aircraft operated by at least 40 foreign carriers, while 16 may still be on U.S.-registered planes.
• The defect stems from incorrectly assembled sealed bearings in the rollout guidance actuators, leaving them vulnerable to moisture infiltration and freezing, which can restrict rudder movement.
• Collins Aerospace informed Boeing that more than 353 affected actuators were delivered since February 2017.
• Two foreign operators experienced similar incidents in 2019 involving rollout guidance actuators.
• The NTSB has recommended that the FAA determine if the faulty actuators should be removed from aircraft and that Boeing notify airlines of appropriate pilot responses in case of a similar malfunction.
• NTSB Chair says FAA is not taking Boeing 737 rudder problems more seriously.

What It Means

If not addressed promptly, these components could lead to serious safety incidents during flights.

Regulators, manufacturers, and airlines must work together to identify and replace the affected parts to prevent any further incidents and maintain passenger safety.

Other key Aviation and Aerospace Industry updates for today 👇

Alaska Airlines Expands Network with Five Strategic Routes

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Using Embraer 175 jets and Boeing 737-900s, the expansion strengthens Alaska's position as a leading West Coast carrier.

Spirit Airlines Slashes 32 Routes Amid Financial Struggles

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Key cities affected include Dallas/Fort Worth, Charleston, and Las Vegas. This restructuring follows Spirit's recent focus on more profitable routes and connecting traffic to combat mounting losses since 2019.

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WestJet Upgrades Aircraft Maintenance with Trax's Digital Solutions

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The partnership between WestJet and Trax, which began in 2004, continues to evolve with this latest upgrade

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LOT Polish Airlines Expands Fleet with Four Boeing 737 MAX 8 Leases

LOT Polish Airlines will lease four Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from Phoenix Aviation Capital and AIP Capital.

This move supports LOT's expansion strategy, enhancing operational flexibility and network growth in Central Europe.