Potential for jammed or restricted rudder on some Boeing 737

The US Federal Aviation Administration has this week issued a safety alert to airlines operating certain Boeing 737 models warning of a potential for limited or jammed rudder movement.  

The issue involves Boeing's 737, 737 -600/-700,-800,-900, 900ER, 737NG  and MAX 8, MAX 9 aircraft equipped with Collins Aerospace SVO-730 RRGAs, both in the US and around the world. According to the NTSB, there are more than 40 airlines outside the US that are operating potentially affected aircraft. 

The issue came to light after a incident on a Boeing 737 MAX 8, where the flightcrew were unable to move the rudder pedals during landing rollout. Following a post-incident investigation, it is thought the Collins Aerospace SVO-730 RRGA was the source of the flight control restriction. The FAA says RRGA provides rudder inputs during landing rollout, where directional guidance is provided by the autoflight system after touchdown on CAT IIIB equipped aeroplanes. The aeroplane was equipped with the RRGA, but not electrically connected to the Digital Flight Control System (DFCS). 

The FAA said that airlines should instruct pilots that the rudder control system could potentially become jammed or restricted in flight or during landing due to moisture that could accumulate and freeze in the RRGA actuator.  If the rudder restriction condition is encountered in flight, Boeing recommends suggests pilots should follow the Jammed or Restricted Flight Controls Non-Normal Checklist (NNC). If this rudder restriction is encountered on the ground, use differential braking to maintain the runway centerline. Flight crews should avoid using nosewheel steering above 100 Knots Indicated Airspeed (KIAS) unless necessary for aeroplane control as a potential for overcontrol exists.

SAFO24006 (faa.gov)

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Ukraine International Airlines to position 737 to Poland for evacuation flights.....

UIA plans to position a Boeing 737-900 to Poland.

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the war continues, the international airline of Ukraine is planning to position one of its aircraft to Poland to operate evacuation flights for Ukrainian citizens fleeing the horrendous onslaught from barbaric Russian forces. 

UIA says it aims to provide evacuation flights for Ukrainians from Lodz (LCJ) and Wroclaw (WRO) airports on a Boeing 737-900. The flights can accommodate up to 215 passengers. Plus they are also calling for humanitarian organizations to send them requests for shipments of humanitarian cargo to these airports.  The plane can take up to 18 000 kgs of cargo with a total volume of 103 m3. 

The airline is also offering aircraft for lease and hire as it seeks to earn money for the beleaguered nation as it battles for its very existence against the might of Russia.   

In another move, Russia has banned UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and a number of other key politicians from entering Russia over what it calls the UK's "hostile" stance on the war in Ukraine.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace,  Home Secretary Priti Patel, The Chancellor Rishi Suna, Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor, and Secretary of State for Justice Dominic Raab, Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps, Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey, former British Prime Minister Theresa May and First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon have all been banned from entering Russia. The leader of the opposition Sir Keir Rodney Starmer hasn't been included on the list despite his previous remarks regarding the war and Putin.

Contact UIA for more information for passenger flights operation (single charter flights and charter programmes)  Charter@flyuia.com, tel. +380978746332

For cargo flights to transport humanitarian cargo salescargo@flyuia.com, tel. +380504146255.