Jammed rudder: DGCA issues safety guidance for Boeing 737s – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Given the potential risk of a jammed or restricted rudder control system on Boeing 737s equipped with Collins Aerospace SVO-730 rudder rollout guidance actuators, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Monday issued an advisory for operators using this combination. A US NTSB Aviation Investigation Report had recently highlighted safety concerns involving Boeing 737 for this reason.
In a statement, the DGCA said it has taken cognizance of the recent US NTSB Aviation Investigation Report, which highlights safety concerns involving Boeing 737 airplanes equipped with Collins Aerospace SVO-730 Rudder Rollout Guidance Actuators. Considering the potential risk of a Jammed or Restricted Rudder control system, the DGCA has issued the following Interim safety recommendations to all Indian operators of Boeing 737 aircraft, effective immediately:
1. Issuance of circular/advisory: All flight crews are to be informed through a circular/advisory regarding the possibility of a Jammed or restricted Rudder control system. Appropriate mitigations must be communicated to help crews identify and handle such a situation.
2. Safety risk assessment: All operators must conduct a Safety Risk Assessment for aircraft to evaluate and mitigate the risk associated with the Rudder control system.
3. Discontinue CAT III B approach and rollout operations: All Category III B approach, landing, and rollout operations (including practice or actual autoland) must be discontinued for airplanes until further notice.
4. Mandatory training discussions: Discussion about potential Rudder control system issues must be included as a mandatory topic in Recurrent Training sessions and Instrument Rating/Proficiency Checks (IR/PPC) during Pre-Simulator Briefings.
5. Recurrent training exercises: 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.
“These interim measures aim to enhance safety and ensure that flight crews are well-prepared to handle potential Rudder control issues effectively, pending further detailed operational guidance to be issued by Boeing/FAA,” DGCA statement said.