This Week: NTSB Issues Preliminary Report on Sept. 12 Runway Incursion at Nashville | FAA Releases New Safety Alert for Boeing 737 Rudder Actuator
Source: NTSB
The NTSB has released the preliminary report for its ongoing investigation into the runway incursion incident at Nashville International Airport (BNA) on September 12, 2024, involving an Alaska Airlines and a Southwest Airlines flight. The report provides a detailed event timeline, highlighting potential communication missteps between air traffic controllers and the involved aircraft.
Key Moments from the Incident Timeline:
- 09:12:11 — The tower controller instructed the Alaska Airlines flight to line up and wait on Runway 13.
- 09:13:05 — Meanwhile, the ground controller cleared the Southwest Airlines flight to cross Runway 13.
- 09:13:28 — The tower controller then cleared the Alaska Airlines flight for takeoff.
- 09:14:30 — The Alaska flight aborted its takeoff, avoiding a potentially dangerous situation.
This sequence of events underscores the importance of precise coordination between controllers and pilots to prevent runway incursions, one of aviation’s most significant safety hazards. As the investigation continues, the NTSB will work to determine if procedural lapses contributed to this near miss. To download the full report, you can access the NTSB PDF here.
Source: U.S. Department Of Transportation & Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
In a related development, the FAA has published a new Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) concerning potential issues with the rudder rollout guidance actuators on Boeing 737 aircraft. This follows an urgent safety recommendation issued by the NTSB after a recent event where the Boeing 737-8 rudder became jammed during a landing rollout.
Key Points from the FAA SAFO:
- The alert applies to Boeing 737 NG and 737 MAX series airplanes equipped with Collins Aerospace SVO-730 Rudder Rollout Guidance Actuators (RRGAs).
- Moisture can accumulate in the actuator, leading to freezing and restricted or jammed rudder movement, which could pose serious risks during flight or landing.
- Operators must familiarize flight crews with this issue and follow Boeing’s Non-Normal Checklist (NNC) for jammed or restricted flight controls. If the restriction occurs on the ground, differential braking is recommended, along with avoiding nosewheel steering above 100 knots unless necessary.
The FAA encourages operators to reference Boeing's Multi-Operator Message (MOM) and Operations Manual Bulletin (OMB) for detailed guidance on handling this issue. The full SAFO text can be accessed here.
The NTSB and FAA’s recent updates highlight the critical importance of addressing potential safety gaps in runway procedures and aircraft systems.
