Beoing 737 Max Crashes Investigation and Analysis

The Boeing 737 Max crashes were a series of tragic events that shook the aviation world. The first crash occurred on October 29, 2018, in Indonesia, where Lion Air Flight 610 plummeted into the Java Sea.

The investigation into the crash revealed that the pilots had encountered an MCAS system malfunction, which was triggered by a faulty sensor. The MCAS system was designed to prevent the plane from stalling, but it ended up causing the pilots to lose control of the aircraft.

The second crash occurred on March 10, 2019, in Ethiopia, where Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 also crashed into a field. The investigation found that the pilots had also encountered an MCAS system malfunction, which was triggered by a faulty sensor.

The MCAS system was a critical factor in both crashes, and its malfunction led to a loss of control of the aircraft, resulting in the tragic loss of 346 lives.

Explore further: Cop Crashes

The Boeing 737 Max crashes were a tragic series of events that resulted in the loss of 346 lives. The Lion Air crash occurred in October 2018, and the Ethiopian Airlines crash occurred in March 2019.

Both crashes were linked to faulty flight control systems, specifically the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). The MCAS was designed to prevent the plane from stalling, but it malfunctioned in both crashes.

The investigation into the crashes revealed serious flight control problems, including angle-of-attack (AoA) sensor and instrument failures. The AoA sensor was just replaced before the Lion Air accident flight.

The final report on the Lion Air crash identified nine factors that contributed to the accident, including the MCAS malfunction and the AoA sensor failure. The report was prepared with assistance from the US NTSB.

The two crashes were so similar that they raised questions about the process used by the FAA in approving the MCAS system. Global regulators and aviation experts questioned whether industry insiders, such as Boeing, had too much influence over the approval process.

Additional reading: United Flight

The crashes led to the grounding of the 737 Max fleet worldwide, and the plane remains grounded for the foreseeable future. Boeing has committed to pressing forward with changes to its company, including improvements to its compliance, safety, and quality programs.

Here are the countries that participated in the investigations into the two crashes:

The US NTSB and the NTSC (National Transportation Safety Commission of Indonesia) were the primary investigating authorities for the two crashes.

Investigations into the Boeing 737 MAX crashes involved multiple countries and agencies. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations Annex 13 defines which states may participate in investigations, and in the case of the two MAX accidents, these were Indonesia, Ethiopia, and the United States.

The participating states and national transportation safety bureaus were the NTSB for the US and the NTSC for Indonesia. Australia and Singapore offered technical assistance, and with the exception of Ethiopia, the officially recognized countries are members of the Joint Authorities Technical Review (JATR).

A list of the participating countries and agencies includes:

The investigations were complex and involved multiple agencies, including law enforcement authorities, who launched a criminal probe into the development of the 737 MAX. The Department of Justice's (DOJ) Criminal Division, the Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General (OIG), and the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee all played a role in the investigations.

Accident investigations are a crucial part of understanding what went wrong in a plane crash. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has regulations in place to define which states can participate in investigations.

ICAO Annex 13 outlines the rules for aircraft accident and incident investigation, and it's clear that multiple countries can be involved in the process. For the two Boeing 737 MAX crashes, the participating states were Indonesia, Ethiopia, and the United States.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the US and the National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC) in Indonesia were the primary investigating agencies. Australia and Singapore also offered technical assistance, specifically with data recovery from the new generation flight recorders.

Additional reading: Trump Fires Airline Safety

The investigation into the Ethiopian Airlines crash was led by the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA), with assistance from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The French aviation accident investigation agency BEA also played a role in analyzing the flight recorders.

Here's a breakdown of the participating states and agencies in the two MAX crashes:

The investigations into these crashes have revealed some alarming similarities, including the malfunctioning of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) and the lack of safety features on the 737 MAX.

The Department of Justice's (DOJ) Criminal Division launched an investigation into the Lion Air crash.

Law enforcement authorities began collecting information about the development of the 737 MAX, including the certification process and how the company marketed the aircraft.

The U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao called on the Department's Office of Inspector General (OIG) to investigate the 737 MAX certification days after the Ethiopian Airlines crash.

Intriguing read: Beoing 737

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, led by Senator Roger Wicker, opened an investigation into whistleblower allegations that the FAA did not handle the certification of the 737 MAX 8 properly.

Boeing submitted false data and information about the new system in "self-certifying" reports to the FAA during the certification process.

Reports show that Boeing was aware of the problems with its 737 redesign and the flawed MCAS system.

Worth a look: Boeing Warns Some 737 Max Customers of Delays Bloomberg News

The Boeing 737 Max crashes were a result of a faulty MCAS system that was designed to prevent the plane from stalling, but was also linked to the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System.

This system was activated by a faulty angle of attack sensor, which was not properly validated by Boeing. The sensor was not designed to handle the extreme forces of a stall, and it sent incorrect data to the MCAS system, causing the plane to pitch down repeatedly.

The MCAS system was not properly disclosed to pilots, and Boeing did not provide adequate training on the system's operation. This lack of transparency and training contributed to the crashes.

Consider reading: Why Is Boeing so Bad

The Maneuvering Augmentation System, or MCAS, is a flight control system designed to automatically adjust the horizontal tail stabilizer and push the nose of the plane downward to prevent stalling.

Boeing incorporated the MCAS into the retrofitted 737 without disclosing its existence to pilots.

The MCAS was meant to operate only when it sensed an imminent stall, but it's flawed and attempts to push the nose down when it shouldn't.

The system's faulty design causes a tug-of-war between the pilot and the MCAS, resulting in an undulating flight path that leads to a loss of altitude and airspeed.

Boeing's failure to adequately train pilots on the MCAS has been criticized, with many pilots claiming they first learned of the system through a warning issued by the FAA.

The MCAS's erratic behavior was not enough to prevent a second deadly crash, despite the warnings issued by Boeing and the FAA.

Recommended read: What Happens When You Max Out 401k

The 737 MAX was created by retrofitting the original 737 design, which was released in 1967. This was done to compete with newer, more efficient designs from Airbus.

The original 737 design was built low to the ground for easy access to luggage compartments and to accommodate older stairways. This design choice had a significant impact on the plane's aerodynamics.

Boeing had to install larger, more efficient engines to compete with Airbus, but this required more ground clearance than the original design allowed. The new engines were moved farther forward on the aircraft.

As a result of moving the engines and wings forward, the aircraft's flight characteristics changed, causing the nose to pitch up while in flight. This can lead to a loss of forward airspeed and eventually a stall and crash.

Boeing decided to address the pitch problem with a new automatic flight-control MCAS system, rather than redesigning the airframe or properly engineering a solution.

Readers also liked: 50 People Injured Boeing

Boeing initially defended the 737 MAX against any faults, suggesting pilots had insufficient training, but later faced evidence to the contrary.

Lawmakers demanded answers from then-CEO Dennis Muilenburg in a hearing on Capitol Hill, questioning him about the discovered mistakes leading to the crashes and Boeing's cover-up efforts.

A Texas court ruled in October 2022 that the passengers killed in the two 737 MAX crashes are legally considered "crime victims", with consequences for possible remedies.

Airbus responded to the crashes by stating it would never be good for any competitor to see a particular aircraft type having problems, and that the 737 MAX grounding and backlog wouldn't change the production volume of the competing Airbus A320neo family.

Readers also liked: Stock Market Crashes in India

Boeing expressed sympathy to the families of the crash victims, but initially defended the aircraft and suggested pilot error.

Lawmakers demanded answers from then-CEO Dennis Muilenburg in a hearing, questioning him about the discovered mistakes and Boeing's cover-up efforts.

A Texas court ruled in October 2022 that the passengers killed in the 737 MAX crashes are legally considered "crime victims", which has consequences for possible remedies.

Airbus acknowledged the tragedy and expressed that it's not good for any competitor to see an aircraft type having problems.

The production volume of the competing Airbus A320neo family won't change due to the 737 MAX grounding, as these aircraft have already been sold out through 2025.

Some pilots and flight attendants expressed confidence in the certification renewal, while others were disappointed that Boeing concealed the risks of the flight stabilization system MCAS.

Retired pilot Chesley Sullenberger criticized the aircraft design and certification processes, saying the relationship between the industry and regulators had been too "cozy".

The financial impact of the Boeing 737 MAX groundings was a disaster for the aviation industry and the US economy. Boeing suffered a loss of $18.4 billion in 2019.

The company's reputation took a hit, and it faced victim litigation, client compensation, and a reduced credit rating. This led to a decrease in its stock value.

Boeing's extensive supply chain, which provides aircraft components and flight simulators, suffered similar losses. The aircraft services industry, including crew training, the aftermarket, and the aviation insurance industry, were also affected.

Major flight simulator supplier CAE increased production of simulators for the Boeing 737 MAX in anticipation of a jump in demand for pilot training. However, this didn't happen, and the company was left with unsold inventory.

Boeing's net orders for the 737 MAX were down by over 1,000 aircraft, with 448 orders canceled and 782 orders removed from the backlog. The total estimated direct costs of the MAX groundings were a staggering $20 billion.

The indirect costs of the groundings were even higher, estimated at over $60 billion. This is a massive financial blow to the aviation industry and the US economy.

The US-Boeing deal over the crashes has taken a surprising turn. A lawyer for 16 families of the victims has called the deal "morally repugnant".

The deal was meant to resolve the case by having Boeing pay $1.1 billion to avoid prosecution. However, the lawyer for the victims' families is not pleased with this outcome.

Boeing was supposed to pay $444.5 million to the families of the crash victims, and an additional $455 million towards improving its compliance, safety, and quality programs. But the lawyer thinks this is not enough.

The company also agreed to pay a criminal penalty of $487.2 million, although half of that was already paid in 2021. The lawyer thinks this is a small price to pay for Boeing's actions.

If the deal is approved by a federal judge, Boeing will avoid a criminal fraud trial. But the lawyer for the victims' families will have the chance to appeal this decision.

The Boeing 737 MAX was cleared to return to service in November 2020 by the FAA, after two years of grounding.

The return to service came with various requirements, including system, maintenance, and training requirements, as well as design changes that must be implemented on each aircraft before receiving an airworthiness certificate.

These requirements were stipulated by the FAA to ensure the aircraft's safety, and other major regulators worldwide gradually followed suit, including Transport Canada and EASA in 2021.

Here's an interesting read: Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation

The groundings of the Boeing 737 MAX were a significant event in the history of the aircraft. The Ethiopian Airlines crash led to China and most other civil aviation authorities grounding the airliner over safety concerns.

In the US, the FAA initially issued a Continued Airworthiness Notice, but later reversed its decision and grounded the aircraft on March 13, 2019. This decision was made after new evidence revealed similarities between the two crashes.

About 30 MAX aircraft were flying in US airspace at the time and were allowed to reach their destinations before being grounded. This was a temporary measure to minimize disruptions to air travel.

Every single Boeing 737 MAX plane (387 in total) had been grounded by March 18, 2019. This had a significant impact on the global aviation industry, affecting 8,600 weekly flights operated by 59 airlines across the globe.

Suggestion: American Airlines Prices Drop

The Boeing 737 MAX was initially certified in 2017 by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

The certification process was problematic, with Boeing and the FAA favoring cost-saving solutions that led to a flawed design of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS).

Boeing wanted the FAA to certify the airplane as another version of the long-established 737, which would limit the need for additional training of pilots, a major cost saving for airline customers.

The FAA's Organization Designation Authorization program was also questioned for weakening its oversight of Boeing.

Boeing added MCAS to counter the tendency of the airplane's nose to push up during certain maneuvers, but convinced the FAA that it could not fail hazardously or catastrophically.

The MAX was exempted from certain newer safety requirements, saving Boeing billions of dollars in development costs.

In February 2020, the US Justice Department investigated Boeing's hiding of information from the FAA, based on the content of internal emails.

Boeing settled to pay over $2.5 billion after being charged with fraud in connections to the crashes, including a $243.6 million criminal fine for defrauding the FAA.

The settlement also included $1.77 billion as compensation for airline customers and $500 million as compensation for family members of crash victims.

Consider reading: Is Delta Good Airline

In June 2020, the U.S. Inspector General's report revealed that MCAS problems dated several years before the accidents.

The FAA found several defects that Boeing deferred to fix, in violation of regulations.

In September 2020, the House of Representatives concluded its investigation and cited numerous instances where Boeing dismissed employee concerns with MCAS.

The FAA announced that it had cleared the 737 MAX to return to service in November 2020, subject to various system, maintenance, and training requirements.

Design changes must be implemented on each aircraft before the FAA issues an airworthiness certificate, without delegation to Boeing.

Other major regulators worldwide are gradually following suit, with Transport Canada and EASA clearing the MAX in 2021 subject to additional requirements.

The Ethiopian Airlines crash exposed deeper issues with the Boeing 737 MAX, including problems with the aircraft's design and safety features. The investigation revealed that the 737 MAX was not equipped with two safety features that may have helped pilots maintain control of the aircraft.

The Angle of Attack (AOA) indicator light and the "disagree light" were optional safety features that could have alerted pilots to potential issues with the aircraft's angle and sensor readings. However, Boeing chose to make these features optional, allowing the company to charge extra for them.

The crash also highlighted concerns about the FAA's approval process for the MCAS system, which was implicated in both the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes. Global regulators and experts have questioned whether industry insiders, such as Boeing, had too much influence over the process.

The investigation into the Ethiopian Airlines crash found that the pilots followed the correct procedure to disable the MCAS system, but did not complete the checklist fully, which led to the recovery effort failing. This raises questions about pilot training and the complexity of the MCAS system.

The Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority published an interim report on the crash, concluding that the probable cause was the repetitive and uncommanded airplane-nose-down inputs from the MCAS system, due to false input from the angle of attack sensor. This finding is consistent with the investigation into the Lion Air crash.

The crashes have led to a global grounding of the 737 MAX, with the FAA announcing that the final implementation of the fix for the MCAS software could take much longer and may require a more extensive overhaul of the 737 MAX design.

A different take: Air France Credit Cards

The Boeing 737 Max crashes were a series of tragic events that shook the aviation industry. The first crash occurred on October 29, 2018, in Indonesia, where Lion Air Flight 610 plunged into the Java Sea, killing all 189 people on board.

The plane's MCAS system, which was designed to prevent stalls, was activated by a faulty angle-of-attack sensor. This led to a series of catastrophic events that ultimately resulted in the crash.

The second crash happened on March 10, 2019, in Ethiopia, where Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 also crashed, killing all 157 people on board. The investigation into this crash revealed similar issues with the MCAS system.

The MCAS system was found to be relying on a single angle-of-attack sensor, which was not designed to handle faulty data. This design flaw led to a chain reaction of events that resulted in the crashes.

The investigations into the crashes found that both pilots had struggled to control the planes, but the MCAS system's actions made it impossible for them to recover.