A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 experienced a “Dutch roll” phenomenon at 32,000 feet (10,000 meters) while flying between Phoenix and Oakland on May 25.
The “dutch roll” is an involuntary movement in which the aircraft oscillates in the vertical and longitudinal axis, sometimes violently.
Crews managed to regain control of the 737 MAX and landed safely in Oakland, but the jet has since been removed from active service.
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The 175 passengers and six crew were uninjured.
According to reports, structural damage was noticed in the fuselage ribs and also in the auxiliary power unit in the tail.
On June 6, the aircraft was flown to Pane Field in Everett to be examined by Boeing.
Dangerous event
The “Dutch roll”, although it occurs infrequently, is considered a very dangerous event.
The most fatal accident with a single plane would have been preceded by the phenomenon. In 1985, a Japan Airlines Boeing 747 on a domestic flight crashed after suffering structural damage to the tail. Of the 524 occupants, 520 died.
According to local media, Southwest said it was in contact with authorities and Boeing to investigate the causes of the incident, but declined to comment on what happened.
The FAA said it is seeking information from Boeing and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
“We will take appropriate action based on the findings,” stated the agency.
Boeing and the 737 MAX jet have been the target of great scrutiny following incidents and failures on the assembly line. Despite this, not all facts reported by the press are related to the company’s situation.
