A Southwest Airlines jet that was harmed after experiencing an uncommon “Dutch roll” throughout a flight is back in service
ByDAVID KOENIG AP airlinecompanies author
DALLAS — Investigators state a Southwest Airlines jet that knowledgeable an uncommon “Dutch roll” in flight hadactually been parked outdoors throughout a strong storm and then wentthrough regular upkeep, after which pilots observed odd motions of the rudder pedals.
After the May 25 occurrence, Southwest mechanics discovered “substantial” damage in the airplane’s tail, where the rudder is situated, however the National Transportation Safety Board stated Tuesday that it hasn’t identified when the damage happened.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737 Max, was grounded for more than a month however resumed flights last week, according to information from Flightradar24.com.
Dutch roll is a swaying, balanced mix of yaw, or the tail moving sideways, and the wingtips rocking up and down. The Southwest jet skilled the motion at 34,000 feet and onceagain after comingdown to 32,000 feet while flying from Phoenix to Oakland, California.
The condition can be unsafe, and modern-day airplanes have a “yaw damper” to stop the oscillations that define Dutch roll.
After the airplane landed, Southwest mechanics discovered fractures in the metal bracket