Flight 517 was instrumental in resolving the cause of Boeing 737 rudder issues that had caused two previous fatal crashes because it was the first flight to experience such rudder issues and land safely, allowing investigators to interview the pilots about their experience and to study the aircraft.

[1]: 51 Flight 517 departed Trenton without incident and encountered no turbulence or unusual weather en route to Richmond.

While on approach to Richmond International Airport, at an altitude of about 5,000 feet (1,500 m) MSL, the captain felt a brief "kick" or "bump" on the right rudder pedal.

[5][6] The NTSB investigated the incident, with a particular focus on determining whether the events of Flight 517 were related to previous Boeing 737 crashes.

[1]: 44 During the investigation, the NTSB found that prior to the June 9 incident, flight crews had reported a series of rudder-related events on the incident aircraft, including abnormal "bumps" on the rudder pedals and uncommanded movement of the rudder.

[1]: 272–273 The NTSB also determined that, unlike the United or USAir accidents, the rudder problem on Flight 517 occurred earlier in the landing process and at a higher speed, which increased airflow over the other control surfaces of the aircraft, allowing the pilots to overcome the rudder-induced roll.

[8] The Discovery Channel Canada / National Geographic TV series Mayday dramatized the incident of 517 and the subsequent 737 rudder investigation in a 2007 episode titled "Hidden Danger".

[9] This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Transportation Safety Board.