As much as we use the cliché about not
having a rudder or being rudderless to describe an issue, it’s a very real
problem for the Boeing Company.
The National Transportation Safety Board issued
urgent safety recommendations regarding a rudder malfunction on Boeing’s best-selling
plane, the 737.
The problem is somewhat contained as it
appears only to effect those planes bought by United Airlines. There is a
manufacturing defect in the rudder control system. The Federal Aviation
Administration is aware of the situation.
“We have been monitoring this situation
closely. … We will convene a corrective action review board based upon the
NTSB’s interim recommendations and determine next steps,” the agency said in a statement.
Boeing said, “We are working with our
supplier to develop additional guidance.”
Nonetheless, the NTSB recommended that
Boeing tell all carriers that there is a possibility that the rudder control
system can jam. The NTSB also urged Boeing to come up with better instructions
for pilots as to how to handle rudder jams.
Boeing said it will “ensure flight crews
have the appropriate operating procedures.”
The enforcement recommendations stem from
an incident earlier this year in which a United pilot found that the pedals
that operate the rudder were stuck.
A NTSB spokesperson said the problem is
with the manufacturing of the product itself and not necessarily with Boeing. However,
the perception is that it still casts aspersions on the company which has
suffered greatly from safety protocol issues this year.
In addition to other problems, Boeing is
currently facing an internal strike that has caused the company almost
half a billion dollars so far in one week.
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