Rudder problems on another AA A-300 as reported by CNN. (See below) The vertical stab from AA587 has been sent to NASA's Langley Research Center (Norfolk VA area, and a lead NASA Center for aeronautics) for detailed study.
"LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- An American Airlines Airbus jetliner departing Lima, Peru, Wednesday evening experienced severe rudder problems during takeoff, forcing it to return to the airport, CNN learned Friday.
"The aircraft, an Airbus A300-600, is the same model aircraft as American Airlines
Flight 587.
"In Wednesday's incident in Peru, the pilots reported "fish tailing" soon after takeoff.
"An aviation source told CNN the aircraft experienced severe rudder fluctuations. A
preliminary NTSB report said the plane landed safely and its flight recorders have
been pulled for further investigation.
"CNN has previously reported on yet another incident involving an American Airlines
Airbus A300-600. That plane, on a flight from Colombia to Miami, Florida in 1999,
had to abort its final approach after the pilots experienced what they called severe
rudder deflection problems.
"NTSB spokeswoman Lauren Peduzzi, reached late Friday, said she had no information on any incident in Peru and would not know anything until Monday.
"American Airlines told CNN the plane remains in Peru but the flight recorders have been sent to the NTSB in Washington. An airline spokesman said no previous problems with the jet had been reported.
After the crash of Flight 587 the FAA ordered airlines flying the A300-600 to
visually examine the tail sections for signs of possible stress cracks. But critics said
that more sophisticated tests are needed to detect any problems with the vertical fin
and rudder which, on the Airbus, are made of composite plastic materials and not metal."