Posted on 07/10/2024 11:07:09 AM PDT by Red Badger
A Southwest Airlines jet that experienced “Dutch roll” while flying at 34,000 feet had undergone routine maintenance before being parked outside during a strong storm, after which pilots noticed unusual movements of the plane‘s rudder pedals.
Following the incident in May, Southwest Boeing mechanics found “substantial” damage to the plane’s tail, where the rudder is located.
However, the National Transportation Safety Board said it had not determined when the damage occurred.
According to data from Flightradar24.com, the Boeing 737 Max was grounded for more than a month before resuming flights last week.
“Dutch roll” is a swaying, rhythmic combination of yaw, the tail sliding sideways, and the wingtips moving up and down.
The Southwest jet suffered dangerous movement while flying at 34,000 feet and then again when descending to 32,000 feet while flying from Phoenix to Oakland, California.
While the condition can be dangerous, modern planes now have a “yaw damper” to stop the oscillation, which causes the Dutch roll.
After the planes landed, airline mechanics discovered fractures in the metal bracket and ribs, which hold a backup power control unit to the rudder system.
Investigators last week examined the damaged parts in Ogden, Utah.
The plane was parked overnight at the New Orleans airport on May 16 during thunderstorms and heavy rain.
The plane underwent scheduled maintenance on May 23 before pilots noticed the rudder pedals moving when the yaw damper was engaged.
The NTSB said that on May 25, pilots felt the pedals moving during the Dutch roll and after landing.
All of the 31 Max jets were inspected by Southwest, but no other cases of damage were found around the rudder power units, NTSB said.
The most recent Boeing incident was reported last month, when a Korean Air Boeing 737 Max 8 experienced a sudden emergency plummeting 26,900 feet before making multiple erratic loops before stabilizing.
Fifteen passengers suffered injuries ranging from severe hyperventilation and eardrum pain, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
+1
Yes, it’s called a yaw damper function of the autopilot system. Sometimes it’s built in to the autopilot and sometimes it’s a separate system.
Dutch roll really isn’t a problem for non-swept wing aircraft.
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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Not to mention the fact that tens of millions are manipulated everyday by the Deep State controlled hard left news media, most of whom have bought the confirmed falsehood that the 2020 election was not stolen!
Over 14,000 feet makes that a Mile High Club.
Almost three mile high.....................
Cracks on the Max??
You should not be seeing cracks on new airplanes. 20, 30 year old ones, yes.
When I was stationed in England and worked on F-4s the Angle of Attack probe would corrode due to the high moisture and cause the altimeters to go crazy. The faulty AOA information fed into the Central Air Data Computer (CADC) which drove the altimeters plus the CADC also had outputs to the autopilot system (among others), so I wouldn't rule out an indirect cause.
This is why I think the FAA has to be considering a grounding of every Boeing airliner manufactured since 2010 and subjecting each airplane to a C-level inspection and parts replacement if needed.
Sounds like inferior/counterfeit parts/metals. Thanks, China.
Yep - See also “death wobble”
Man to cabin attendant:” How often do these planes crash?”
Attendant answers:”Just once sir.”
Possibly, but it could also be an issue with the parts from Boeing and they have had issues with counterfeit ones.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-boeing-whistleblower-alleges-faulty-airplane-parts-may-have-been-used-on-jets/
He’s talking about ON THE RAMP! Definitely remove before flight!
I think it’s more likely inadequate design parameters or execution than defective or counterfeit materials in this case.
Then you would have the equivalent of the 9/11 shutdown-as most of the planes in service are Boeing.
I worked Minuteman III and Hill AFB at Ogden has a very strong Boeing presence because they are prime on Minuteman and Hill AFB is the maintenance depot for that program.
Lots of that story don't make a lot of sense. How a broken plane that was grounded in Oakland wound up in Ogden is a mystery. Did the reporters screw up Ogden for Oakland?
Boeing would do tear down failure analysis at their factories in Washington or South Carolina and Southwest has their major maintenance depot in Texas. Neither do major commercial maintenance operations in Utah that I know.
If someone out there can explain how the plane got to Ogden please tell us.
Thanks for explanation. Makes sense.
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