The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India has taken proactive steps to ensure the safety of passengers and crew on board Boeing 737 aircraft operated by Indian airlines. On Monday, October 8, 2024, the DGCA issued an advisory addressing a potential risk of a jammed rudder control system, a critical component that controls the aircraft’s direction during takeoff and landing.
This advisory stems from a recent investigation report by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which raised safety concerns related to Boeing 737 planes equipped with Collins Aerospace SVO-730 Rudder Rollout Guidance Actuators. These actuators play a crucial role in aligning the aircraft’s rudder with its nose wheel during takeoff and landing, ensuring proper control during these critical flight phases.
The DGCA’s advisory highlights the need for stringent safety measures to mitigate the risks associated with this potential issue. The advisory has been issued to Indian carriers, including Air India Express, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet, which collectively operate nearly 100 Boeing 737 aircraft.
In August, Boeing had already notified affected operators about a potential issue with the rudder rollout guidance actuator, prompting the DGCA to take immediate action. Air India Express confirmed that the advisory pertains to only five of their aircraft and stated that compliance processes have already begun. Meanwhile, a SpiceJet spokesperson indicated that none of its Boeing 737 NG aircraft are affected.
The DGCA’s advisory mandates that all flight crews be informed of the potential for a jammed or restricted rudder control system through a circular. This circular emphasizes the importance of crew awareness and the need for appropriate mitigations to help crews recognize and manage such situations effectively.
Furthermore, all operators are required to conduct a comprehensive safety risk assessment to evaluate and mitigate the risks associated with the rudder control system. This assessment will involve identifying potential scenarios, evaluating the severity of the risks, and developing appropriate safety measures to address them.
As a precautionary measure, the DGCA has suspended all Category III B approach, landing, and rollout operations for these aircraft until further notice. Category III B operations are typically conducted in low-visibility conditions, requiring advanced technologies and procedures to ensure safe landings.
To enhance safety and ensure flight crews are adequately prepared to address any potential rudder control issues, airlines must include discussions about this issue in recurrent training sessions. This topic will also be integrated into Instrument Rating/Proficiency Checks (IR/PPC) during pre-simulator briefings. Operators are instructed to incorporate specific exercises simulating scenarios involving a jammed or restricted rudder control system, focusing on rollout procedures. The DGCA stressed the importance of practicing appropriate flight crew responses and mitigations during these exercises.
Boeing has also reiterated its commitment to safety, stating that the autoland system features multiple redundancies, and they are collaborating with suppliers to develop additional guidance on the potential condition identified in the August notification.
These interim measures aim to bolster safety and ensure flight crews are adequately prepared to address any potential rudder control issues effectively. The DGCA’s proactive approach demonstrates its commitment to ensuring the safety of passengers and crew on board all flights operating in Indian airspace.
