A rare Dutch roll phenomenon has caused significant damage to a Boeing 737 Max, prompting a federal investigation.
A federal investigation is currently underway after a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max experienced significant damage following a rare occurrence of a “Dutch roll” at nearly 38,000 feet. On May 25, Flight N8825Q, which was traveling from Phoenix to Oakland, encountered a lateral asymmetric movement, causing the tail to yaw and the wings to rock side to side. The aircraft, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, landed safely in Oakland, with no reported injuries.
Dutch roll is a potentially dangerous aerodynamic phenomenon where an aircraft experiences rolling and yawing motions. It is likened to the movements of an ice skater spinning and extending their arms, altering their balance. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials are working alongside the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Boeing to investigate the cause of the malfunction, although other airlines have not reported similar incidents.
A preliminary FAA report revealed that the aircraft regained control after the Dutch roll, but damage to the standby power-control unit (PCU) was noted during the post-flight inspection. The incident raises concerns about the stability of the Boeing 737 Max, which has already faced scrutiny in recent years. The FAA and Boeing are examining what led to this phenomenon and are determining what actions are necessary.
This investigation is part of a broader scrutiny of Boeing, which has faced multiple probes into different models, including the 737 Max and the 787 Dreamliner. In January, a 737 Max 9 was involved in an unrelated incident when a panel blew off mid-flight, prompting further investigations into Boeing’s safety practices. The company has stated it is committed to enhancing safety measures, including the use of machine-learning algorithms to detect potential faults.