Event Details


Title:Loss of rudder control, Boeing 737-201, June 9, 1996
Micro summary:This Boeing 737-201 experienced a loss of rudder control on approach.
Event Time:1996-06-09 at 2200 EDT
File Name:1996-06-09-US.pdf
Publishing Agency:National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
Publishing Country:USA
Report number:DCA96IA061
Pages:5
Site of event:Richmond, VA
Departure:Richmond International, Richmond, Virginia, USA
Destination:Chesterfield County Airport, Richmond, Virginia, USA
Airplane Type(s):Boeing 737-201
Flight Phase:Approach
Registration(s):N221US
Operator(s):Eastwind Airlines
Type of flight:Revenue
Occupants:53
Fatalities:0
Serious Injuries:0
Minor/Non-Injured:53
Other Injuries:0
Executive Summary:

NTSB short summary:



NTSB synopsis:



NTSB factual narrative text:

ON June 10, 1996, Eastwind Airlines flight 517, a Boeing 737-201, N221US, experienced a reported loss of rudder control while on approach to Richmond, Virginia. The airplane was on a regularly scheduled passenger flight from Trenton, NJ to Richmond. There were 48 passengers, 2 pilots and 3 flight attendants on board. There were no injuries or damage to the airplane as a result of the incident. At the time of the event the airplane's airspeed was about 250 knots and at 4,000 feet MSL.

The captain reported that he was hand flying the airplane and he felt a slight rudder "bump" to the right. He asked the first officer if he had felt the bump, then the airplane suddenly rolled to the right. He reported that he applied opposite rudder but that the rudder felt stiff. He stated the he applied opposite aileron and used asymmetric power to keep the airplane upright. He stated that after he declared an emergency to the approach controller, he and the first officer performed the emergency checklist. The captain reported that as part of the checklist they turned off the yaw damper. He reported that the airplane became controllable, but was not certain if the problem when away at the same time that the yaw damper was turned off.

It is reported that the airplane has previously had problems with uncommanded rudder deflections. Previous reports have been of "rudder bumps" during departure and that the airplane would not trim properly. The FDR was removed from the airplane for examination.
Learning Keywords:Operations - Trim Misset
Operations - Upset - Uncommanded or excessive Yaw
Systems - Elevator, Stabilizer, Rudder, Ailerons
Systems - Flight Control System

 




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