Phoenix, Arizona – US regulators are currently investigating a concerning incident involving a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. Reports indicate that the plane experienced a dangerous movement known as a Dutch roll, causing it to rock side to side while in flight. This unsettling incident has raised questions about the safety of Boeing planes under the intense scrutiny of aviation authorities.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that this is one of two inquiries initiated regarding Boeing aircraft. The second investigation involves allegations of potentially falsified documents related to the certification of titanium used in Boeing planes. These developments come at a time when the aviation industry is closely monitoring the safety record of Boeing aircraft.

Boeing, the manufacturer of the aircraft in question, has deferred inquiries regarding the Southwest flight to the airline itself. Southwest Airlines has stated that they are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation. In response to the titanium certification issue, Boeing acknowledged that while false documentation was discovered, initial tests indicate that the correct titanium alloy was used in the production of their planes.

Concerns about the authenticity of documentation have also been raised by suppliers to Spirit AeroSystems, a company that produces parts for both Boeing and Airbus. The issue arose when corrosion was noticed on parts, prompting further investigation. Spirit has since conducted over 1,000 tests on suspect components, which have been removed from production.

Aviation authorities, including the FAA and Canadian transportation safety officials, are actively working to address the titanium certification issue in collaboration with foreign regulators. The FAA has issued a bulletin advising suppliers to be vigilant against counterfeit records and is investigating the extent of the problem. At the same time, safety advocates are expressing alarm over the quality of recent Boeing aircraft, citing incidents that have led to increased oversight and legal action.

Despite these challenges, experts like Tim Atkinson, a former UK accident investigator, believe that the Dutch roll incident may be an isolated occurrence rather than a systemic problem within Boeing’s fleet. However, concerns over the safety of Boeing planes persist, prompting the company to implement a detailed action plan to address the issues raised by recent incidents.