“Designed by Clowns!”| How Boeing’s Mistakes Led to the 737 MAX Crashes!

Q: What is the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) on the Boeing 737 MAX?

A: The Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) is a flight control software system on the Boeing 737 MAX designed to automatically adjust the aircraft's stabilizer trim during high-angle-of-attack conditions to prevent stalls.

Q: What were the design flaws of the MCAS system on the Boeing 737 MAX?

A: The design flaws of the MCAS system on the Boeing 737 MAX included reliance on a single sensor, lack of redundancy, inadequate pilot training about its existence and function, and the system's ability to repeatedly push the aircraft's nose down without proper overrides.

Q: How did Boeing's organizational culture affect the development of the 737 MAX?

A: Boeing's organizational culture prioritized meeting deadlines and cost-efficiency over safety concerns during the development of the 737 MAX, leading to rushed decisions, cut corners in testing, and inadequate pilot training on new systems like MCAS.

Q: What strategy did Boeing choose for the 737 MAX in contrast to Airbus's approach with the A320 family?

A: Boeing chose to re-engine the 737 NG aircraft rather than developing an all-new aircraft for the 737 MAX, in contrast to Airbus's strategy of continuously evolving the A320 family with newer technologies and designs.

Q: What were the two tragic crashes involving the Boeing 737 MAX in 2018 and 2019?

A: The two tragic crashes involving the Boeing 737 MAX were Lion Air Flight 610 in October 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in March 2019, both of which were linked to issues with the MCAS system and resulted in the grounding of the 737 MAX fleet worldwide.