9-1-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysia-based airlines and operators have been directed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) to conduct inspections on their Boeing 737-8 (MAX) fleets for potential issues in the rudder control systems. The safety information, issued on January 4, mandates a one-time inspection, with a deadline set for January 10.
The directive follows a routine maintenance discovery where an international operator identified a bolt with a missing nut on a mechanism in the rudder-control linkage of the aircraft. CAAM Chief Executive Officer Datuk Norazman Mahmud highlighted that the Boeing Company had also conducted inspections on several aircraft in production, revealing an additional aft rudder quadrant output rod with an under-torqued (hand tight) fastener.
The fastener in question plays a crucial role in ensuring the proper functioning of the rudder control system. A disconnect between the aft quadrant output rod and the rudder feel and centering unit could result in a loss of positive feel and centering in both the Captain and First Officer’s rudder pedals.
Mahmud emphasized that in such a scenario, the rudder would no longer respond to pilot pedal inputs and would center relative to the current rudder trim neutral position. Airlines and operators are urged to plan and schedule inspections on their Boeing 737 MAX fleet promptly.
Furthermore, CAAM advises reporting inspection findings to the organization via the assigned Primary Inspector and the CAAM Aviation Reporting System (CAReS). Both the Boeing Company and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are closely monitoring the inspection outcomes and will conduct a review on the safety impact to determine if additional action is necessary.
