NTSB Probes Southwest 737 MAX “Dutch Roll” Incident

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The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into a recent incident involving a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operated by Southwest Airlines, during which the plane experienced what is known as a “Dutch roll.” This occurred at an altitude of 34,000 feet while the aircraft was flying from Phoenix, Arizona to Oakland, California on May 25th. A Dutch roll refers to lateral asymmetric movements that can potentially endanger flight safety.

Fortunately, the pilots were able to regain control of the aircraft and safely land it, with no injuries reported among the 175 passengers and six crew members onboard. Subsequent inspections conducted by Southwest Airlines revealed structural damage to certain components, according to the NTSB.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also involved in the investigation, having identified damage to a standby power-control unit. The FAA stated it is collaborating closely with the NTSB and Boeing to thoroughly investigate the incident.

Boeing declined to provide specific comments regarding the Dutch roll incident, directing inquiries to Southwest Airlines, which confirmed its active participation in the ongoing investigation.

In a separate development, the FAA disclosed its investigation into another incident involving a Southwest Airlines 737 MAX 8 passenger flight in April. During this flight near Hawaii, adverse weather conditions necessitated a go-around maneuver at Lihue airport in Kauai. According to a memo dated June 7th and seen by Reuters, the first officer inadvertently pushed forward on the control column while following thrust lever movements directed by the autothrottle system. This resulted in a rapid descent of the aircraft, reaching a maximum rate of descent of approximately 4,400 feet per minute.

The memo further detailed that the crew received audible warnings such as “DON’T SINK” and “PULL UP,” although the first officer reported not hearing these warnings initially. Following a post-flight debriefing, the pilots expressed emotional impact upon reviewing the severity of the incident through flight animations. Southwest Airlines confirmed that the crew has since undergone comprehensive corrective actions, and the airline continues to review relevant data and operational procedures to enhance safety measures.

In response to inquiries, Southwest Airlines assured that the incident was managed appropriately, emphasizing their ongoing commitment to continuous improvement in operational safety. Bloomberg News first reported on the incident involving the Hawaii flight.