New controls ordered for Boeing 737s

The US Federal Aviation Administration today ordered airlines to install new rudder control systems on Boeing 737s.

Problems with the rudder are suspected of causing two fatal US air crashes - the 1994 crash of a US Airways jet near Pittsburgh International Airport and a United Airlines crash in Colorado in 1991.

The FAA estimates 2,000 US airliners must be refitted at a cost of €369m. Another 2,500 737s are in service with foreign airlines.

The rule only applies to US airlines, though foreign air safety agencies often follow the FAA’s lead.

The rule gives US airlines six years to install the new system, which adds more back-up equipment to guard against failures.