Why in the News?

Certain variants of the Boeing 737, equipped with a rollout guidance actuator, are being investigated due to concerns about a potential jammed or restricted rudder control system.
- Following this, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued directives to Boeing 737 operators in India.

What is a Rudder?

The rudder is like the steering tool for an airplane.
It’s part of the tail and helps the plane move left or right, similar to how a boat’s rudder steers on water.
It’s important for making turns, landing in windy conditions, and keeping the plane going straight, especially if one of the engines fails.

It is a special device that helps the plane control its direction during landings when the plane is flying automatically with the autopilot.
It’s especially useful during landings in bad weather with poor visibility, making sure the plane stays on the correct path on its own.

Some Boeing 737 planes are being inspected because of a possible problem with their rudder system, which helps steer the plane during landing.
An issue came up after a United Airlines flight in February 2024 had a situation where the rudder got stuck during landing, and the pilots had to work harder to control the plane.
Investigators found that a part called the rudder rollout guidance actuator might have moisture and corrosion problems, which can cause the rudder to jam.
This problem might affect a small number of Boeing 737 planes that use this system for automatic landings in bad weather.