Incident discussion Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-8 Max Experienced Dutch Roll [0] (246 points, 17 hours ago, 213 comments)

[0]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40668504

A Boeing 737 Max 8 jet experienced a rare but potentially serious problem recently known as a Dutch roll before landing safely.

What’s a Dutch roll?

For the learners who like visuals:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gt-IcCBiQ4

Google, what's a Dutch roll?

https://www.boldmethod.com/learn-to-fly/aerodynamics/dutch-r...

> Dutch roll is a series of out-of-phase turns, when the aircraft rolls in one direction and yaws in the other. Its name comes from the motion of a classic Dutch skating technique.

It even has diagrams.

when an airplane unintentionally wobbles from side to side while flying

A delicious pastry the pilot and co-pilot got to enjoy at the end of their flight as a treat for all their hard work.

/s

I suspect that is the real reason for the autopilot...