U.S. Investigating ‘Dutch Roll' That Damaged a Boeing 737 During Flight

A rare midair sway-and-wobble during a Southwest Airlines flight has prompted an investigation by aviation authorities. The incident occurred on a Boeing 737 Max 8 flying from Phoenix to Oakland. The flight crew experienced a Dutch roll, which is a coupled oscillation causing side-to-side and rocking motions. Dutch rolls can become dangerous if not addressed. Modern aircraft, including the Max, have equipment to dampen these effects. The cause of the incident is still unknown, but it may be due to specific circumstances and components.