FAA Investigates Boeing 737-8 Max Dutch Roll Incident on Southwest Flight

The Federal Aviation near Phoenix is investigating a recent incident involving a Boeing 737 Max 8 jet, which experienced a rare aerodynamic issue known as a Dutch roll. This incident occurred during a Southwest Airlines flight from Phoenix to Oakland last month. The plane, which is less than two years old, successfully landed safely after the pilots managed to regain control.

The Dutch roll, characterized by an uncontrolled side-to-side yawing motion, happened while the aircraft was cruising at 32,000 feet, less than an hour after departure. Despite its rarity in modern aircraft, thanks to advanced design and system preventions, the incident raises concerns given the 737 Max’s troubled history.

Shem Malmquist, a commercial Boeing 777 pilot and instructor at Florida Tech, emphasized the severity of the situation. “A Dutch roll is definitely not something that we like to see. It’s pretty rare on modern airplanes,” Malmquist said. He highlighted the importance of pilot training in such critical situations, praising the actions of the flight crew for their handling of the unexpected event.

Post-flight inspections revealed damage to a backup power control unit (PCU), which manages rudder movements on the aircraft’s tail, potentially explaining the occurrence of the Dutch roll. The aircraft was grounded in Oakland until June 6th, after which it was flown to Everett, Washington, for further maintenance.

This incident adds to the challenges Boeing faces in rebuilding trust with regulators and the public following the fatal crashes of two 737 Max 8 jets in 2018 and 2019, which resulted in 346 deaths. The crashes were linked to malfunctions in the aircraft’s flight control system, not its rudder, although earlier 737 models did have rudder-related issues.

The FAA, along with Boeing and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), is thoroughly investigating the incident. “We will take appropriate action based on the findings,” stated the FAA. Boeing has directed inquiries to Southwest Airlines, which has declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.