**Urgent Safety Recommendations for Boeing 737 Max by NTSB**

Safety investigators are urging Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to take immediate action after identifying a potentially dangerous issue with the rudder pedals of 737 Max jetliners. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) highlighted a problem where moisture infiltration into the rudder assembly can lead to freezing, subsequently jamming the pedals that pilots use for steering on runways.

These findings stem from an incident earlier this year, involving a United Airlines Boeing Max 8 aircraft. On February 6, the incident occurred after the plane landed at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. The rudder pedals became stuck, forcing the captain to use the tiller—a steering handle in the cockpit that controls the wheel under the plane's nose—to navigate. Although the plane veered onto a high-speed turnoff, no injuries were reported among the 155 passengers and six crew members.

The FAA noted that United Airlines is the only U.S. airline impacted by these recommendations, and they believe the compromised parts are no longer in use. Collins Aerospace, a Boeing supplier, discovered that an incorrectly assembled sealed bearing was the culprit. This flaw was identified in at least 353 actuators used in some Max jets and older 737 models.

Following the investigation, the NTSB recommended that Boeing revise its flight manuals to retract advice that pilots use maximum pedal force to counter a jammed rudder. According to the NTSB, such action could lead to abrupt rudder movements, potentially causing the aircraft to skid off the runway.

Additionally, the NTSB has called on the FAA to assess whether actuators with the flawed bearings should be removed from service until replacements are available. These proactive measures aim to prevent any future occurrences and ensure the safety of both passengers and crew members.