Safety Alert Issued for Boeing 737 Max and 737NG Jets

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a safety alert and recommendations for certain Boeing planes, warning of a potential defect that could cause the rudder control system to jam. This issue could affect the ability to steer the aircraft, posing a safety risk.

The warning applies to some Boeing 737 Max and 737NG jets. It stems from an investigation into a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 that experienced stuck rudder pedals while landing at Newark Liberty International Airport in February.

The NTSB has identified over 350 potentially defective parts delivered to Boeing. However, it is unclear how many planes with the affected component are currently in service. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) believes United Airlines is the only U.S. operator with the faulty parts, and United has already removed them from its nine affected planes.

The NTSB urges the FAA to take action, including determining whether the faulty parts should be removed from service and mandating their replacement for U.S. operators. They also recommend informing international aviation regulators to encourage similar actions. The FAA has stated that they are closely monitoring the situation and will convene a panel to determine their next steps.