Why Haven't Airbus A-320s Been Grounded?

While were at it, why didn't the FAA ground the middle vintage 737s when
they had two fatal accidents from suspected rudder reversals, plus a
couple of rudder control incidents reported by other airlines while in
flight? At least the A320 nose gear problem hasn't yet resulted in any
fatalities.

I followed the 737 rudder reversals with great interest. The reason the FAA
did not ground the fleet was quite simply that they could not duplicate the
problem for some time. It took some pretty extreme environmental
manipulation (extreme cold, moisture, etc.) before anyone could actually
make the actuator in the 737 malfunction the way the flight data recorders
were apparently reporting.

Once they *were* able to duplicate the rudder problem, the AD came
immediately, and the fix was pretty urgent.

But that still doesn't answer the question. If this known nose gear
malfunction was happening on, say, Beech Bonanzas, the whole fleet would be
grounded in a heartbeat. Yet it's happening to a commonly used airliner,
and nothing much seems to be happening.

Is there some over-riding political reason the FAA doesn't want to offend
the Europeans right now?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"