The NTSB’s investigation of an incident involving a United Airlines 737 Max jetliner revealed that moisture can leak into a rudder assembly, causing pedals used by pilots to steer the plane on runways to become jammed. As a result, the safety board issued urgent recommendations to both Boeing and the FAA to address this issue. The recommendations come after Collins Aerospace, a Boeing supplier, discovered that a sealed bearing incorrectly assembled on actuators for rudders could lead to jamming. This fault impacted at least 353 actuators installed on some Max jets and older 737s.
In response to the investigation, the NTSB recommended that Boeing update flight manuals to remove guidance advising pilots to use maximum pedal force to overcome a jammed rudder. The board warned that this could cause sudden rudder movement and potentially result in the plane veering off the runway. Additionally, the NTSB suggested that the FAA assess whether actuators with incorrectly assembled bearings should be removed until replacements are available. The urgency of these recommendations stems from a specific incident in February, where the rudder pedals of a United Airlines Boeing Max 8 became stuck as the plane landed at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.
During the February incident, the pilot was able to navigate the plane using the tiller, a handle in the cockpit that controls the plane’s nose wheel. Despite the rudder pedals being jammed, the captain successfully steered the plane onto a high-speed turnoff without any reported injuries to the passengers and crew on board. However, the potential dangers associated with jammed rudder pedals and the need for immediate action led the NTSB to issue these urgent recommendations to ensure the safety of future flights. The FAA confirmed that United Airlines is the only U.S. airline impacted by the recommendations and indicated that the affected parts are likely no longer in use.
