Boeing's Troubled 737 Max Plane | “Boeing’s Fatal Flaw" Update (full documentary) | FRONTLINE
FRONTLINE PBS | Official・35 minutes read
Boeing faced intense scrutiny and criticism following fatal crashes of Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines flights, revealing corporate deception, safety compromises, and regulatory failures. The crashes resulted in 346 fatalities, with Boeing settling a criminal charge for misleading statements about the MCAS system, agreeing to pay $2.5 billion.
Insights
- Boeing's rushed design of the 737 Max, prioritizing cost-saving measures over safety, led to the installation of the flawed MCAS system, ultimately resulting in fatal crashes and a corporate crisis.
- The FAA's inadequate oversight and Boeing's deceptive practices, including concealing critical information about MCAS from pilots, contributed to the tragic accidents, highlighting systemic failures in regulatory processes and corporate accountability.
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Recent questions
What caused the crashes of Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines flights?
The crashes were caused by a glitch in the plane's tail control system, leading to uncontrollable dives.
How did Boeing respond to potential malfunctions in the 737 Max 8?
Boeing initially blamed the pilots for the crashes, but later alerted them about potential malfunctions in the aircraft.
What was the main issue with Boeing's MCAS system?
The MCAS system received incorrect information, leading to the fatal crashes of the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines flights.
Why did the FAA face criticism regarding the Boeing 737 Max?
The FAA faced criticism for not grounding the 737 Max despite known risks, gambling on Boeing's fix to the MCAS system.
What led to Boeing settling a criminal charge and paying a fine?
Boeing settled a criminal charge for misleading statements about the MCAS system, agreeing to pay $2.5 billion, with the 737 Max being approved to fly again after 20 months of grounding.
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Summary
00:00
Boeing 737 Max: Crashes Expose Corporate Deception
- A section of the plane's fuselage was lost mid-flight, leading to an FAA panel criticizing Boeing amid new issues with the Boeing 737 Max.
- Lion Air flight JC 610 disappeared from radar, followed by a crash in Ethiopia minutes after takeoff, resulting in an existential crisis for Boeing.
- The Black Box data from the crashes revealed a glitch in the plane's tail control system, causing the plane to dive uncontrollably.
- Boeing had installed a powerful Software System, MCAS, which received incorrect information, leading to the crashes.
- Boeing alerted pilots about potential malfunctions in the 737 Max 8, but the company initially blamed the pilots for the crashes.
- The crashes of Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines flights resulted in 346 fatalities, exposing corporate deception and a broken regulatory process.
- The New York Times investigation revealed pressure on Boeing to quickly and cheaply design the 737 Max, leading to safety compromises.
- Boeing's management prioritized avoiding costs for new pilot training, resulting in the installation of the problematic MCAS system.
- Early signs of trouble with MCAS were evident in a 2012 simulator test, where a Boeing test pilot faced difficulties controlling the plane.
- Boeing's close relationship with the FAA, including a delegation of oversight powers, raised concerns about regulatory effectiveness and safety oversight.
20:34
737 Max: Delegation, Malfunctions, Fatal Crashes
- Boeing and the FAA had a complex delegation system for the design of the 737 Max, leading to confusion about responsibilities.
- The FAA delegated the MCAS system to Boeing without thorough scrutiny, assuming it was benign.
- After the 737 Max prototype's maiden flight, issues with handling were noticed by the Chief pilot, Ed Wilson.
- Boeing Engineers decided to use MCAS to address handling issues, making the system more aggressive and risky.
- Mark Forkner, a key liaison between Boeing and the FAA, requested MCAS removal from pilot manuals, concealing its expanded capabilities.
- Boeing Engineers included a feature triggered by the Angle of Attack sensor, which could make MCAS dangerous if the sensor malfunctioned.
- Boeing's 737 Max, initially a success, faced fatal crashes due to MCAS malfunctions triggered by faulty Angle of Attack sensors.
- Pilots faced challenges in controlling the plane during the crashes, despite following Boeing's directives to counter MCAS malfunctions.
- The FAA's decision not to ground the 737 Max despite known risks led to further fatal accidents, with the agency gambling on Boeing's fix to MCAS.
- Internal dissent within the FAA, with engineer Joe Jacobson raising concerns about the Max's design flaws and the agency's handling of the situation.
40:40
Boeing's 737 Max Crisis and Consequences
- Congressional investigators found internal communications revealing Boeing test pilots' concerns about the MCAS system two years before the first fatal crash, indicating the company's avoidance of pilot training for the Max.
- Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg admitted mistakes in handling the 737 Max crisis during a Congressional hearing, facing intense scrutiny and criticism.
- Boeing engineers proposed adding an MCAS annunciator to address single AOA sensor failures, highlighting the company's awareness of critical safety issues.
- Families of crash victims confronted Muilenburg directly, expressing anger and betrayal over the tragic loss of their loved ones due to Boeing's negligence.
- Boeing settled a criminal charge for misleading statements about MCAS, agreeing to pay $2.5 billion, with the 737 Max being approved to fly again after 20 months of grounding.
- An Alaska Airlines 737 Max experienced a terrifying incident mid-flight, with a piece of the plane blown out, causing chaos and concerns about Boeing's safety standards, leading to further FAA inspections and grounding of similar Max 9 planes.
