DGCA orders safety risk assessment for B737 planes amid rudder concerns

The DGCA stated that all flight crews involved in B737 planes must be informed, through a circular or advisory, about the possibility of a jammed or restricted rudder control system

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday asked Indian carriers to conduct safety risk assessment of their Boeing 737 aircraft, which are equipped with Collins Aerospace’s rudder control system.

Moreover, the regulator temporarily barred these Boeing 737s (B737s) from doing landings using advanced Category III B instrument approach. This allows aircraft to land in very low visibility. 

In a statement, DGCA said that it has taken cognizance of the recent investigation report by United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on B737s. The report highlights safety concerns about B737 planes equipped with “Collins Aerospace SVO-730 Rudder Rollout Guidance Actuators.”

A rudder control system allows pilots to control the aircraft's yaw (side-to-side motion) by adjusting the rudder using pedals in the cockpit.

In India, SpiceJet, Air India, Air India Express and Akasa Air have B737 planes in their fleet.

The regulator stated that it considered the potential risk of a jammed or restricted rudder control system. Therefore, it has decided to issue certain interim safety recommendations to all Indian carriers operating B737 planes.

The DGCA stated that all flight crew involved in B737 planes must be informed, through a circular or advisory, regarding the possibility of a jammed or restricted rudder control system. “Appropriate mitigations must be communicated to help crew identify and handle such a situation,” it noted.

The regulator said all airlines “must conduct a safety risk assessment for aircraft to evaluate and mitigate the risk associated with the rudder control system.”

The DGCA said discussions about this rudder control system must be included as a mandatory topic in recurrent training sessions and pre-simulator briefings for instrument rating and proficiency checks (IR/PPC) of pilots.

“Operators have been instructed to include specific exercises in recurrent training and IR/PPC that simulate scenarios involving a jammed or restricted rudder control system, including rollout procedures. Appropriate flight crew responses and mitigations should be practiced during these exercises,” the DGCA added.

These interim measures aim to enhance safety and ensure the flight crew is well prepared to handle potential rudder control issues effectively. Further detailed operational guidance is to be issued by Boeing and Federal Aviation Administration, it noted.

On September 26, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued urgent safety recommendations concerning the rudder control system of Boeing 737 aircraft. It pointed out potential risks of jamming or restriction in certain 737NG and 737 MAX models. 

This action was prompted by a February 6 incident, where the rudder pedals on a United Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX was stuck during landing. This led to an investigation into assembly issues that could allow moisture to enter and freeze.