NTSB warns of faulty rudder parts in Boeing 737s, over 40 airlines potentially at risk

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued an urgent safety warning to Boeing 737 operators, warning that faulty rudder components installed on over 40 foreign-operated aircraft may pose a significant risk.

This warning marks another setback for Boeing, which has faced a series of safety concerns in recent years, most recently after a January incident involving an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 that was found to be missing critical bolts mid-flight.

The alert follows the investigation of a February incident involving a United Airlines flight, where a jammed rudder control system nearly resulted in a catastrophic situation.

The NTSB revealed on Monday (September 30) that 271 impacted rudder parts may have been installed on Boeing 737s currently in service globally, including aircraft operated by more than 40 foreign airlines.

An additional 16 parts may still be installed on US-registered planes, and up to 75 have been used in aftermarket repairs or maintenance. The board did not specify which foreign airlines could be affected, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the extent of the problem.

FAA, NTSB pushing for broader awareness

Boeing issued a Multi Operator Message in August to inform airlines of the rudder issue, but NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy expressed concerns that many operators may still be unaware of the faulty components.

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In a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Mike Whitaker, Homendy urged the agency to ensure that all affected carriers are notified promptly and corrective actions are taken.

The FAA and NTSB are now pushing for a broader awareness campaign to ensure all potentially impacted Boeing 737 aircraft undergo necessary inspections and part replacements.

Major carriers such as Japan Airlines, China Airlines, and Ryanair have confirmed that their fleets are unaffected. Other international airlines have not responded to requests for comment.

Situation in India

As of August 2024, there were 56 Boeing 737 Max aircraft registered and operating in India. Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air operate these aircraft.

So far, neither NTSB nor the Indian aviation watchdog, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), have named any of these airlines as having the problematic rudder.

Nevertheless, conduction of precautionary checks for each of these airlines’ fleet of Boeing 737 Max aircraft may be expected.

With inputs from Reuters