Southwest Airlines Plane Experiences Rare Unsafe Roll During Flight
Federal Investigation Underway
A Southwest Airlines passenger jet suffered substantial damage after experiencing a rare, unsafe back-and-forth roll during flight. The incident occurred on May 25, when the plane, a Boeing 737 Max 8, was traveling from Phoenix to Oakland. The flight crew members reported experiencing what is known as a "Dutch roll," a side-to-side oscillation that can be caused by a variety of factors, including wind shear or mechanical issues.
Dutch Roll Investigation
Federal authorities and Boeing are trying to figure out why the 737 Max 8 experienced the Dutch roll. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident, and Boeing has sent a team of engineers to assist.
The FAA is also investigating another incident involving a 737 Max 8. On April 17, a United Airlines flight from Houston to Las Vegas experienced a similar Dutch roll. In that case, the flight crew was able to recover the plane and land it safely.
The FAA has not yet determined if the two incidents are related. However, the agency is taking the matter seriously and is working to determine what caused the Dutch rolls and how to prevent them from happening again.
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