Boeing 737 Rudder System Issues

• Boeing 737 variants with a ‘rollout guidance actuator’ are under scrutiny due to potential jammed or restricted rudder control system issues.
• The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued safety alerts to Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
• India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued directives to Boeing 737 operators in India.
• The issue arose after an NTSB investigation into an incident on February 6, 2024, involving a United Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX flight, UA 1539.
• The issue was reported to the airline’s maintenance department, but no damage was reported.
• A recurrence of the malfunction was reported in a test flight with the incident aircraft on February 9, 2024.
• The DGCA has asked Indian 737 operators to simulate scenarios involving a jammed or restricted rudder control system during pilot training and instrument rating/pilot proficiency checks.