UA 585
3 Mar 1991 · System & Design MalfunctionUNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT 585
Boeing 737-200 · United Airlines · Image: Wikimedia Commons
Why it happened
Rudder reversed without warning
Rudder power control unit
Servo valve
Lateral control
Aircraft
Boeing 737-200
United Airlines
Route
Denver–Stapleton (DEN), USA
→ Colorado Springs (COS), USA
People
25 on board
25 fatalities
Date
3 Mar 1991
Category
System & Design Malfunction
When software, sensors and design turn on the crew.
THE STORY
The rudder slammed hard over on approach and the jet rolled in. It took years — and another crash — to prove the 737's rudder valve could reverse.