Q & A: Boeing 737 Max

 

Q: Why did the Boeing 737 Max not crash more than just twice if it was so widely used?

A: The Boeing 737 Max did not crash more than twice despite its widespread use primarily due to a combination of factors that delayed the identification of the underlying issue and led to preventive actions after the accidents. Here's a breakdown of why the number of crashes was limited:

1. Nature of the Issue (MCAS System):

• The primary issue with the 737 Max was related to the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), a new automated system designed to prevent the aircraft from stalling by automatically pushing the nose down if it detected an excessive angle of attack.
• The MCAS system was triggered by data from a single angle-of-attack sensor, and if that sensor failed or gave incorrect readings, it could activate unnecessarily, causing the plane to pitch down repeatedly.
• This issue only became critical under certain flight conditions, meaning that many 737 Max flights did not encounter the specific circumstances needed to trigger a catastrophic failure. Most flights, therefore, were unaffected.

2. Variability of Flight Situations:

• Not all 737 Max flights would experience the conditions that would lead to MCAS activation (e.g., sharp climb angles), so many pilots were never put in a situation where the system could misfire.
• Additionally, experienced pilots or those aware of previous incidents might have been able to recognize and override the malfunctioning system in some cases.

3. Pilot Response:

• Although the two crashes (Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302) were devastating, some pilots were able to manage the MCAS issue when it occurred by following certain procedures, such as switching off the system and manually controlling the aircraft.
• However, these actions required knowledge of the issue and quick decision-making under pressure, something that became a focus of debate regarding the adequacy of pilot training and awareness.

4. Time and Frequency of Flights:

• While the 737 Max was widely used, it had only been in service for a relatively short period before the crashes occurred (first introduced in 2017). The fleet had not yet accumulated enough flight hours compared to older aircraft models, and the issues surfaced early enough that they were caught before more crashes happened.

5. Grounding of the Fleet:

• After the second crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in March 2019, regulatory agencies around the world, led by the FAA, grounded the entire 737 Max fleet. This grounding prevented further flights and potential crashes while investigations were conducted and corrective measures were put in place.

6. Software Fix and Enhanced Training:

• Boeing addressed the MCAS issue with software updates, including multiple safeguards to prevent erroneous activation of the system, and made modifications to the training and documentation for pilots.
• This, along with extensive regulatory oversight, prevented further accidents when the plane was recertified and returned to service in 2020.

In conclusion, while the Boeing 737 Max was widely used, the specific circumstances leading to the crashes didn’t occur on every flight. The grounding of the fleet after the second crash played a key role in preventing more incidents, and the subsequent software and training improvements addressed the issues that had led to the accidents.

Source: Some or all of the content was generated using an AI language model