FLIGHT #302 - Boeing 737 MAX, FAA Approval Process

My question, why didn't the manual control have enough effect to override the computer system?  Says something about the poor design of the manual control.

"Faulty sensor led to horrifying ‘tug of war’ in cockpit of downed Boeing plane" PBS NewsHour 4/4/2019

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  A preliminary investigation on the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 concluded a controversial software system did contribute to the downing of the Boeing plane, and the pilots followed manufacturer guidelines to no avail.  Boeing said it will release a software update to fix the problem, but how did the FAA approve the plane in the first place?  William Brangham talks to Miles O’Brien.

FAA - Fundamental Conflict on Aircraft Approval?

What do you mean?!  Leaving aircraft manufacturers to be the inspector of their aircraft safety worthlessness is a problem?  NO KIDDING, yes.

Note that a more recent statement by Boeing sad they will install a safety feature for the system in question, that they removed from some aircraft to lower the cost to customers, will be installed for free on those 737 MAX aircraft.  Which means Boeing could have done that in the first place.

"Does handling of Boeing safety issue reveal ‘fundamental conflict’ for the FAA?" PBS NewsHour 3/27/2019

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  In the aftermath of a second deadly plane crash, Boeing is trying to reassure the U.S. government and the public that it is addressing the flight control system on its 737 MAX jets.  The feature is suspected of a role in the fatal Ethiopian Airlines incident in March as well as an October Lion Air crash.  Amna Nawaz reports and talks to science correspondent Miles O’Brien for technical details.

BOEING 737 MAX - Disastrously Bad Decision Making

"This aviation expert says Boeing made ‘disastrously bad decision’ on training for 737 MAX" PBS NewsHour 3/18/2019

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SUMMARY:  The recent Ethiopian Airlines crash led to the grounding of Boeing’s 737 MAX planes across much of the globe.  But as new details emerge about the cause of the model’s second crash within five months, questions are being raised about how the plane's safety was approved in the first place.  John Yang talks to Jeff Wise, a pilot and author of a book about MH370 the flight that vanished in 2014.

DEADLY CRASH - Boeing 737 MAX 8

"After 2nd deadly crash, questions raised about the safety of Boeing’s 737 MAX 8 planes" PBS NewsHour 3/11/2019

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  Investigators are combing the debris from Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa Sunday, killing all 157 people aboard.  The plane’s black box recorders have been found, but many questions remain about this second crash of a Boeing 737 MAX-8 within a few months.  Neil Connery of Independent Television News and science correspondent Miles O’Brien report.

"It’s impossible to call Boeing 737 MAX 8 safe, says this aviation expert" PBS NewsHour 3/12/2019

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SUMMARY:  U.S. aviation experts have convened at the crash site of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 amid growing global concern about the safety of Boeing’s 737 MAX 8 jet.  Although dozens of countries have grounded the planes, the FAA says they're safe.  John Yang reports and discusses with Mary Schiavo, a former Transportation Department Inspector General who represents the victims of airline accidents.

"What new information led FAA to ground Boeing’s 737 MAX jets?" PBS NewsHour 3/13/2019

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  Boeing’s 737 MAX jetliners are grounded across much of the globe -- including the U.S.  [This was] Days after other nations banned the plane from flying in their airspace, the FAA, which had as recently as Tuesday night insisted the plane was safe, said new information about Sunday's Ethiopian Airlines crash led it to change course.  John Yang reports, and Judy Woodruff talks to Miles O’Brien for analysis.

AIRLINES - Boeing Dreamline In Trouble?

"Boeing 787 Dreamline Incidents Prompt FAA to Make Comprehensive Review" PBS Newshour 1/11/2013

Excerpt

JUDY WOODRUFF (Newshour): This week has been a bumpy ride, to say the least, for aviation giant Boeing and its new jet, a week capped by the government's decision to look closely at the plane's operating systems again.

Margaret Warner has the story.

MARGARET WARNER (Newshour): Boeing began delivering its sophisticated new 787 Dreamliner jet to much fanfare 14 months ago, after years of production delays. Now a series of recent incidents has raised concerns about the 50 planes in the air, so much so that, today, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration, Michael Huerta, announced a comprehensive review.

MICHAEL HUERTA, Federal Aviation Administration: The focus is on the design, production, and manufacture of the airplane. We're focusing on the electrical systems as the highest level of priority. Our focus is on what the data tells us and what we identify as potential issues there. And based on what we learn, we will take whatever appropriate action is necessary.