Summary

  • Boeing 737 MAX 8 experienced Dutch roll, landed safely in Oakland, no injuries reported
  • FAA investigating incident due to damaged backup power control unit
  • Dutch roll is a rare combination of directional and lateral oscillation in airplanes

The FAA is investigating a Boeing 737 MAX 8 operated by Southwest Airlines Flight 746 following reports of an unusual rolling motion called a “Dutch roll.” The aircraft safely landed at Oakland with no injuries. On June 6th, the aircraft flew to Everett, Washington, where one of Southwest’s maintenance vendors is based. The news comes amid an ongoing saga with Boeing’s 737 MAX family of jets. Southwest now only expecting half its formerly planned deliveries for 2024.

Southwest Boeing 737 MAX 8 Dutch roll

The Associated Press reported that federal authorities are investigating the incident, which may have been caused by a damaged backup power control. While the incident happened on May 25, it is only being reported by major news outlets now. The FAA is working with Boeing and the National Transportation Safety Board over the incident.

A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 climbing out

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

The Dutch roll happened on a flight from Phoenix to Oakland, California. The pilots were able to regain control of the aircraft and it landed safely at Oakland. The aircraft landed safely and there were no injuries reported. The airline was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members at the time. The incident occurred an hour in the flight after taking off from Phoenix while the airliner was cruising at an altitude of 32,000 feet. The particular 737 MAX 8 is new – less than two years old.

The preliminary report by the FAA found the Boeing 737 MAX showed damage to a unit that provides backup power to the rudder. The description on the FAA report readsAircraft experienced a Dutch roll, regained control and post flight inspection revealed damage to the standby PCU, Oakland, Ca.”

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A Dutch roll

A ‘Dutch roll’ is defined as “a combination of directional and lateral oscillation of an airplane.” It is the combination of a yawing motion when the tail slides and the plane rocks from wingtip to wingtip. The name comes from being said to mimic the movement of a Dutch ice skater.

Shem Malmquist, a commercial pilot, and Florida Tech told NPR, “A Dutch roll is definitely not something that we like to see.” He added, “It’s pretty rare on modern airplanes.” He explained that modern airliners and their systems are designed to prevent it in the first place (although it obviously failed in this instance). He also said that it is important for pilots to know how to respond if it does happen.

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 departing Los Angeles International Airport LAX shutterstock_2239056635

Photo: Bradley Caslin | Shutterstock

While no one was hurt in the incident, this is the last news Boeing wants to receive. The Boeing 737 MAX family was hailed as a major step in narrowbody airliners until a pair of crashes in 2018 and 2019 killed some 346 people. Since then, Boeing has weathered an ongoing storm of safety-related incidents and federal investigations. Federal authorities have limited the number of 737 MAX jets Boeing can build until it satisfactorily resolves safety issues.

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