DGCA Issues Advisory to Airlines on Potential Rudder Control System Issues in Boeing 737 Aircraft

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an advisory to Indian airlines operating Boeing 737 aircraft. This follows a report from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) highlighting safety concerns with the Collins Aerospace SVO-730 Rudder Rollout Guidance Actuators. The advisory addresses potential risks related to a jammed rudder control system.

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Currently, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet operate Boeing 737 planes in India. In August, Boeing alerted operators about possible issues with the rudder rollout guidance actuator. A spokesperson from SpiceJet confirmed that their Boeing 737 NG aircraft are not affected by this issue.

Safety Measures and Training

The DGCA has instructed airlines to inform flight crews about the possibility of a jammed or restricted rudder control system through a circular or advisory. Airlines must communicate appropriate mitigations to help crews identify and manage such situations effectively.

Operators have been directed to conduct safety risk assessments for their aircraft to evaluate and mitigate risks associated with the rudder control system. Additionally, all Category III B approach, landing, and rollout operations must be discontinued until further notice. Category III B operations involve low visibility conditions.

Training Enhancements

Airlines are required to include discussions on potential rudder control system issues as a mandatory topic in recurrent training sessions. These topics will also be part of Instrument Rating/Proficiency Checks (IR/PPC) during pre-simulator briefings.

Specific exercises simulating scenarios involving a jammed or restricted rudder control system must be included in Recurrent Training and IR/PPC. Flight crew responses and mitigations should be practised during these exercises to ensure preparedness.

Boeing's Response

On September 27, Boeing stated that it had informed affected 737 operators in August about the potential condition with the rudder rollout guidance actuator. This component is part of an optional autoland system, which includes layers of redundancy. Boeing is collaborating with its supplier to develop additional guidance to address this potential condition.

The interim measures aim to enhance safety by ensuring that flight crews are well-prepared to handle potential rudder control issues effectively. The rudder rollout guidance actuator is crucial for controlling rudder movement during Category III B approach, landing, and rollout operations.