NTSB Issues Safety Recommendation A-11-008 to FAA Regarding 737 Elevator Protection
The National Transportation Safety Board has directed the Federal Aviation Administration to require operators to modify Boeing 737-300 through -500 series airplanes with a method to protect the elevator power control unit input arm assembly from foreign object debris once such a method is developed by Boeing.
Safety recommendation
The National Transportation Safety Board has directed the Federal Aviation Administration to require operators to modify Boeing 737-300 through -500 series airplanes with a method to protect the elevator power control unit input arm assembly from foreign object debris once such a method is developed by Boeing.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued Safety Recommendation A-11-008, identified under reference number ENG09IA011. This recommendation is addressed to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The NTSB urges the FAA to require operators to modify their airplanes with a specific method of protection for the elevator power control unit input arm assembly on Boeing 737-300 through -500 series airplanes. This modification is intended to protect the assembly from foreign object debris. However, this requirement is contingent upon Boeing first developing such a protective method, as previously requested in Safety Recommendation A-11-7. Once Boeing completes the development of this protection method, the NTSB states that the FAA must then require operators to implement these modifications on their respective aircraft fleets to ensure continued safety standards are met.