Boeing 737 Max 8 moves closer to recertification
FILE - On this Wednesday, March 13, 2019, file photo, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 jet flies over Mesa, Ariz., en route to Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport. Pilot-union leaders at Southwest Airlines say it could be February or March 2020 before their airline resumes flights using the Boeing 737 Max. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
Six months into the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max 8, the company is now moving closer to recertification with its redesigned flight system.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded the aircraft in March after two fatal crashes resulted in the death of 346 passengers. More than 350 planes are currently grounded, as Boeing expects approval for its renovated software system.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) was responsible for both the Lion Air crash on Oct. 29, 2018 and the Ethiopian Airlines crash on March 10, 2019. MCAS is a software designed to prevent stalling and was introduced to adjust with the new engine position on the 737 Max model.
Boeing is making critical updates to the anti-stall system as it struggles to gain the trust of customers and investors.
Junior psychology major Hope Cummings is optimistic the company could recover trust if it diligently figures out the issues involved in the crash.
“Ensuring public safety is of utmost importance compared to putting aircraft in the air immediately with no checkup,” Cummings said.
Boeing Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg reaffirmed the company’s commitment to passenger safety in a recent statement.
“We take the responsibility to build and deliver airplanes that are safe to fly and can be safely flown by every single one of the professional and dedicated pilots all around the world,” said Muilenburg.
Junior psychology major Ann Miller said she believes plane crashes are prone to pilot errors, so Boeing should focus on bridging the gap between the maneuvering system and pilots.
“Pilots should have more rigorous training in flight simulation,'' Miller said. “Boeing has a lot of history and experience so I trust them to correct any problems.”
In a recent Twitter poll about Boeing 737 Max 8’s return to the skies, 55% of respondents said they would avoid the plane’s use, 23% said they would be confident in flying while 22% claimed they would wait to see the fix.
Associate Professor of Sociology Dr. Arlie Tagayuna said the grounding will put more checks and balances into place — increasing the safety net.
“The FAA will closely monitor the safety of people,” said Tagayuna. “Boeing should hold the highest standard of safety net and tests now.”
Tagayuna added that free training should be dispensed to pilots regardless of the carrying capacity of their planes.
Currently, Boeing 737 Max does not have an anticipated date of return. For more Boeing 737 Max updates, click here.
