A Southwest jet that did a 'Dutch roll' was parked outside during severe storm
A Southwest Airlines jet that was damaged after experiencing an unusual “Dutch roll” during a flight is back in service
DALLAS (AP) — Investigators say a Southwest Airlines jet that experienced an unusual “Dutch roll” in flight had been parked outside during a strong storm and then underwent routine maintenance, after which pilots noticed odd movements of the rudder pedals.
After the May 25 incident, Southwest mechanics found “substantial” damage in the aircraft's tail, where the rudder is located, but the National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday that it hasn't determined when the damage occurred.
The plane, a Boeing 737 Max, was grounded for more than a month but resumed flights last week, according to data from Flightradar24.com.
Dutch roll is a swaying, rhythmic combination of yaw, or the tail sliding sideways, and the wingtips rocking up and down. The Southwest jet experienced the movement at 34,000 feet and again after descending to 32,000 feet while flying from Phoenix to Oakland, California.
