A United Boeing 737 rotating out of Washington Dulles. [Photo: AirlineGeeks | Peter Weiland]
Key Takeaways:
The FAA issued a safety alert (SAFO) for specific Boeing 737 models (NG and Max series) equipped with optional Collins Aerospace SVO-730 Rudder Rollout Guidance Actuators (RRGA) due to a risk of jammed or restricted rudder movement.
This potential issue, identified after a United Airlines incident, is caused by a manufacturing defect in the RRGA allowing moisture to freeze and impede rudder function, affecting over 353 actuators delivered since 2017.
Boeing has provided flight crews with specific procedures for handling a restricted rudder in various flight phases, including aborting landings if an autopilot test detects the issue.
The FAA released a safety alert for operators (SAFO) of some Boeing 737 aircraft Tuesday, citing the potential for jammed or restricted rudder movement.
Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
