DGCA Issues Safety Advisory for Boeing 737 Rudder System
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a safety advisory for Boeing 737 aircraft equipped with Collins Aerospace SVO-730 rudder rollout guidance actuators, citing potential concerns regarding rudder jamming. This follows a similar alert from U.S. aviation authorities. The advisory affects operators of Boeing 737 planes in India, including Air India Express, Akasa, SpiceJet, and certain private operators.
As a precaution, the DGCA has instructed airlines to suspend low-visibility Category III B landings for the affected aircraft until further notice. Operators have been directed to conduct safety risk assessments and implement additional pilot training focused on handling potential rudder control issues. According to the DGCA, these interim measures aim to mitigate the risk posed by a jammed or restricted rudder control system.
Boeing, in a statement, acknowledged the potential issue with the rudder actuator, which is part of the optional autoland system on some 737 models. The company is collaborating with its supplier to develop further guidance and ensure appropriate procedures are available for flight crews. Boeing added that it will continue to work with regulatory authorities and keep them updated on the situation.
The advisory applies to both Boeing 737 Next Generation (NG) and MAX models. SpiceJet has stated that none of its Boeing 737 NG or MAX aircraft are affected by this issue.
The DGCA's recommendations are based on findings from a recent investigation by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which highlighted safety concerns related to the rudder control system on Boeing 737 aircraft.