U.S. warns 40 foreign operators may be flying Boeing 737s with rudder issue

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Monday said more than 40 foreign operators of Boeing 737 airplanes could be using aircraftwith rudder components that may pose safety risks.

The NTSB last week issued urgent safety recommendations about the potential for a jammed rudder control system on some Boeing 737 airplanes after a February incident involving a United Airlines flight.

The NTSB also disclosed on Monday that it has learned two foreign operators suffered similar incidents in 2019 involving rollout guidance actuators.

"We are concerned of the possibility that other airlines are unaware of the presence of these actuators on their 737 airplanes," Jennifer Homendy, chair of the NTSB, said Monday in a letter to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)administrator Mike Whitaker.

The NTSB is investigating an incident in which the rudder pedals on a United Boeing 737 MAX 8 were "stuck" in the neutral position during a landing at the airport in Newark, N.J.There were no injuries to the 161 passengers and crew.

The NTSB said 271 impact parts may be installed on aircraft in service operated by at least 40 foreign air carriers, while16 may still be installed on U.S.-registered aircraft. It said up to 75 may have been used in aftermarket installation.

CBC News has reached out to Air Canada, WestJet, Flair Airlines and Sunwing Airlines to confirm whether or not they are among the 40 foreign air carriers referred to by the NTSB.

In an email to CBC News on Monday evening, a WestJet spokesperson confirmed that the component of concern is not present in any of its aircraft.

Flair Airlines said it follows safety recommendations and airworthiness directives issuedby Boeing, the FAA, NTSB, Transport Canadaand other relevant authorities.

"The safety of our passengers and crew is paramount, and we will continue to meet or exceed all safety protocols to ensure the utmost protection across every flight, read a statement from the airline.

Other airlines have yet to respond.

"The FAA and Boeing are investigating. We'll wait for the results of this investigation and won't hesitate to take any necessary steps to keep Canadians safe," Transport Canada said in a statement to CBC News.

WATCH | CEO apologizes to victims' families:

Boeing CEO testifies on safety record, apologizes to crash victims' families

4 months ago

Duration 2:21

During testimony before the U.S. Senate, Boeing's CEO apologized to the family members of those who died in Boeing plane crashes but dodged many direct questions from senators.

Homendy said she was concerned that the FAA "did not take this issue more seriously until we issued our urgent safety recommendation report."

The FAA said it was taking the NTSB recommendations seriously andscheduled to do additional simulator testing in October.

An FAA corrective action review board met on Friday, and the agency said thatit is "moving quickly to convene a call with the affected civil aviation authorities to ensure they have the information they need from the FAA including any recommended actions."

United Airlines said last week that the rudder control parts at issue were in use in only nine of its Boeing 737 aircraft originally built for other airlines; the components were all removed earlier this year.

The NTSB said on Thursday there are no 737s atU.S. airlines operating with the affected actuators, which were installed in some 737 MAX and prior-generation 737 NG planes that included an optional landing system.

Boeing said in August that it had informed "affected 737 operators of a potential condition with the rudder rollout guidance actuator." It did not immediately comment on Monday.

WATCH | What happened to Boeing's reputation?

The Breakdown | Boeings safety record

3 months ago

Duration 19:53

As Boeing pleads guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge connected to two deadly crashes, The National breaks down what happened to the aviation giants reputation and whether its planes are any safer.