Boeing 737 MAX safety record questioned after two tragedies

WASHINGTON: For the second time in less than six months, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 has crashed minutes after takeoff and killed everyone on board, raising fresh questions about the safety of a model that is crucial to the US giant’s future plans.

On Sunday, the 157 passengers and crew members of a 737 MAX operated by Ethiopian Airlines were killed. Last October, the same model of plane, operated by Lion Air, crashed in Indonesia, killing 189.

China – an important market for Boeing – became the first country to ground the 737 MAX 8 yesterday.

Ethiopian Airlines did the same, saying the decision came as an ‘extra safety precaution’.

Only the flight data and cockpit conversation contained in the doomed aircraft’s two black boxes can provide tangible evidence of what may have caused the latest accident – technical problems, pilot error or a combination of factors.

“The pilot mentioned that he had difficulties and he wants to return. He was given clearance to turn around,” Ethiopian Airlines chief executive Tewolde GebreMariam told reporters in Addis Ababa.

Weather conditions were good in the Ethiopian capital at the time of the flight.

While Teal Group expert Richard Aboulafia said it was “too soon to make any kind of meaningful comment,” another industry expert stressed the similarities between the two incidents.

“It’s the same plane. Like Lion Air, the (Ethiopian Airlines) accident took place shortly after takeoff and the pilots signaled they were experiencing problems, then the plane crashed. The similarities are clear,” the expert added, requesting anonymity to speak freely on the matter.

Chinese aviation authorities also noted the ‘similarities’ between the two deadly incidents, saying operations would only resume after ‘confirming the relevant measures to effectively ensure flight safety’.

Boeing has delivered 76 of the aircraft to Chinese airlines, and another 104 are on order, according to data from the company’s website.

But Michel Merluzeau, director of Aerospace Defense Market Analysis, noted that ‘these are the only similarities, and the comparison stops there as we do not have any other reliable information at this juncture’. In both cases, the air carriers have solid reputations.

Since the Lion Air accident, the 737 MAX has faced growing skepticism from the aviation community. The program had already encountered problems during development.

In May 2017, Boeing had halted 737 MAX test flights due to quality concerns with the engine produced by CFM International, a company jointly owned by France’s Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aviation.