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‘Dutch Roll’ Incident Prompts FAA/NTSB Investigation

Pilots managed to regain control of the aircraft and land safely.

Southwest Boeing 737s at Paine Field. [Credit: AirlineGeeks | Katie Bailey]
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Key Takeaways:

  • A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 experienced a "Dutch roll" at 32,000 feet on May 25, resulting in substantial damage to its standby power control unit.
  • Pilots successfully regained control and landed the aircraft safely, prompting an investigation by the FAA and NTSB in collaboration with Boeing and Southwest.
  • This incident marks another setback for Boeing, which is currently under intense scrutiny following a separate door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 in January.
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The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating yet another alarming incident in which a Boeing 737 Max 8 experienced a “Dutch roll” at roughly 32,000 feet —a rare phenomenon when the aircraft rolls in one direction and yaws in the other. 

The incident occurred May 25 during a Southwest Airlines flight from Phoenix to Oakland, California. Pilots managed to regain control of the aircraft and land safely, although the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the standby power control unit (PCU), according to a report.  

Amelia Walsh

Amelia Walsh is a private pilot who enjoys flying her family’s Columbia 350. She is based in Colorado and loves all things outdoors including skiing, hiking, and camping.

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