By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News
US regulators are currently investigating an incident involving a Boeing 737 Max 8, operated by Southwest Airlines, which experienced a "Dutch roll," a hazardous side to side oscillation, during flight. This is one of two new investigations that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently acknowledged concerning Boeing aircraft.
The FAA is also examining a separate issue following Boeing's discovery of potentially falsified documents related to the certification of titanium used in its planes. This revelation has come at a time when Boeing’s safety record is under significant scrutiny.
Boeing has deferred questions regarding the Southwest Airlines flight to the airline, which has stated its cooperation with the investigation. Regarding the titanium issue, Boeing indicated that the problem is "industry wide" and pertains to a specific group of suppliers. Despite the false documentation, tests have so far confirmed that the correct alloy was used. Boeing asserted that the affected parts are being removed before delivery, and their analysis shows the operational fleet remains safe to fly.
Noting that a supplier to Spirit AeroSystems, a manufacturer for Boeing and Airbus, identified potential falsification after discovering corrosion holes. Spirit had alerted Boeing and Airbus earlier this year, and over 1,000 tests have been conducted on the suspect parts, which have since been pulled from production. Spirit's spokesman Joe Buccino clarified that the falsification involved the documents, not the titanium itself, but traceability has been compromised.
The FAA confirmed that Boeing had advised suppliers to be vigilant for counterfeit records and is investigating the extent of the issue. Canadian transportation safety officials also stated their cooperation with international regulators to address the titanium concern and affirmed their readiness to take necessary action.
The "Dutch roll" incident, named after an ice skating technique from the Netherlands, took place on May 25th during a flight from Phoenix, Arizona, to Oakland, California. The FAA reported that the aircraft regained control without injuries to passengers, although it sustained "substantial" damage. Post flight inspections revealed significant harm to a unit that supplies backup power to the rudder.
Tim Atkinson, a former UK accident investigator now consultant, commented that while Dutch roll can be unsettling, the 737 generally handles it well. He suggested that the absence of broader airworthiness directives since the incident indicates it might be an isolated case rather than a widespread issue for Boeing.
Safety advocates have expressed concerns about the quality of Boeing's recent aircraft. An incident in January, where a panel detached mid flight, heightened these worries, leading to lawsuits and increased regulatory oversight. In response, Boeing has reduced its production rate and recently submitted an action plan to the FAA to address these challenges.