The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into a recent incident involving a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX, which experienced significant side-to-side rocking during a flight last month.

According to the NTSB, the aircraft encountered what the crew described as a “Dutch roll” at 34,000 feet while flying from Phoenix, Arizona, to Oakland, California, on 25 May. These lateral movements, named after a Dutch ice-skating technique, can pose serious safety risks.

The Board confirmed that the pilots successfully regained control of the aircraft and safely landed it, with no injuries reported among the 175 passengers and six crew members onboard. Following a subsequent inspection, Southwest Airlines discovered structural damage to components of the aircraft, the NTSB reported.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which also initiated an investigation, noted damage to an emergency power control unit. The FAA stated it is collaborating closely with the NTSB and Boeing to investigate the incident.

Boeing declined to comment specifically on the Dutch Roll incident, redirecting enquiries to Southwest Airlines, which affirmed its active participation in the ongoing investigation. In a statement, Southwest reassured that the situation was handled “appropriately.”

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