NTSB chairman criticizes FAA for response to Boeing 737 rudder problem

The head of the US National Transportation Safety Board criticized US aviation regulators for “downplaying the urgency” to address a possible rudder failure on some Boeing Co aircraft. 737 in an unusually public rebuke.

The faulty parts that could cause the 737’s rudder control system to lock up could be used by at least 40 non-US carriers, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said Monday in a letter to the top US Federal Aviation Administration official. Information provided by Boeing in August suggests that 271 suspect components may be used on aircraft operated by those overseas airlines, while 16 may still be in use in the U.S., Homendy said. Dozens more have yet to be installed.

In the letter to FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker, Homendy said she was concerned that the FAA “did not take this matter more seriously until we issued our urgent safety recommendation report.”

The unusual public criticism comes after the NTSB warned last week that faulty parts supplied by Collins Aerospace, a unit of RTX Corp., for some 737 Max and 737 NG aircraft could cause the rudder system to lock up. The NTSB issued urgent recommendations to the FAA and Boeing regarding the issue.

FAA oversight of Boeing has come under fire since a door-sized panel blew up a 737 Max during a January flight. The agency also faced scrutiny following two 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people.

The FAA said Monday that it is taking the matter seriously and is quickly reaching out to aviation authorities in other countries to “ensure they have the information they need from the FAA, including any recommended actions.” The regulator also plans to further test the simulator in October, it said in a statement.

The NTSB’s recommendations stem from an investigation into a Feb. 6 incident in which the rudder pedals of a 737 Max 8 operated by United Airlines Holdings Inc. were stranded during landing at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

The safety board said about 350 parts were affected by the problem. Last week, the FAA said United was the only U.S. airline that had the affected parts and that the regulators’ “understanding” was that the parts were no longer in service.

United said Monday it had “removed this component from the nine affected aircraft earlier this year.” The NTSB did not clarify which other US airlines might use the parts.

Boeing could not immediately be reached for comment.

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