The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported on Tuesday that it issued a safety alert to airlines warning of the possibility that the rudder movement of some Boeing 737 aircraft is limited or stuck.
Last week, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said more than 40 foreign operators of Boeing BA.N’s 737 could be using the MAX or Next Generation model with rudder components that could pose security risks.
The FAA said the alert provides information about an existing automated check of the system “that would identify limited or stuck rudder movement during approach before landing.”
On Sept. 26, the board issued urgent safety recommendations and urged the FAA to take action on the potential for rudder control system jamming on some 737s following an incident in February on a United Airlines flight.
Last week, the NTSB said 271 affected parts could be installed on in-service airplanes operated by at least 40 foreign airlines and 16 could still be installed on U.S.-registered airplanes and up to 75 could have been used in aftermarket facilities.
Boeing, which did not immediately comment Tuesday, previously said it had informed affected 737 operators of a “potential condition with the rudder deployment guidance actuator” in August.
NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said last week in a letter to FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker that the board is concerned “about the possibility that other airlines may be unaware of the presence of these actuators on their 737 aircraft.”
The FAA said it will issue a formal notification to international aviation agencies about the matter.
The NTSB is investigating an incident in February in which the rudder pedals of a United 737 MAX 8 became “stuck” in the neutral position during a landing in Newark. There were no injuries among the 161 passengers and crew.
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