What does the future hold for the problematic Boeing 737 Max aircraft?

“The recent safety concern with the Boeing 737 Max has been described as a highly tumultuous and frightening situation by Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun.”

On January 5th, Friday, a routine flight from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, California was conducted by Alaska Airlines flight AS1282. The aircraft used for this flight was a Boeing 737 Max 9.

While the plane was ascending to an altitude of over 16,000 feet, which is higher than the peak of Mont Blanc, a part called a door plug became dislodged from the airplane’s body. Fortunately, the seat next to the door plug was one of the few that was not occupied. This caused the plane to suddenly lose pressure and the pilots had to declare an emergency. Luckily, all 177 people on board flight AS1282 were unharmed when the plane safely returned to Portland.

All Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft currently flying in the US have been halted for inspections due to reports of “loose hardware” and “bolts requiring further tightening”. Other airlines are also conducting checks on their planes.

“I have children, and I have grandchildren just like you,” stated Mr. Calhoun, the president and CEO of Boeing, during a speech to employees. “These things are important. Every aspect matters. Every detail counts.”

The leader of the aircraft company promised: “First and foremost, we recognize our error. We will handle it with complete transparency at every stage.”

However, the most recent “extremely alarming situation” comes after two preventable disasters that resulted in the deaths of 346 individuals on two Boeing 737 Max planes. The manufacturer has now taken responsibility for these incidents.

What does the future hold for airplanes? Here are the main inquiries and responses.

The dual-engine aircraft was put into use in February 1968, featuring a similar body shape and size that could seat six passengers side by side, and a front design resembling the previous Boeing 707 model.

The 737 has been a popular choice for short-distance flights, with the ability to accommodate over 100 passengers with ease. Its success has been evident with over 10,000 units sold and more than 20 billion passengers flying on it.

More than 50 years later, the design of the fuselage and wing has remained unchanged. However, the original slim, cigar-shaped engines have been replaced by larger, quieter, and more efficient ones. These engines are now mounted further forward in order to maintain ground clearance, almost blending in with the front of the wings.

This solution caused concerns about the safety of the aircraft, as the engines could potentially impact the aerodynamics in unique flying situations. Boeing referred to this as a “high angle of attack,” meaning the angle between the nose direction and airflow is increased, causing the engine nacelles to contribute to the aircraft’s tendency to pitch upwards.

To combat this tendency, Boeing implemented specialized software called the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), which was designed to ensure consistent handling capabilities. The Boeing 737 Max was first utilized by various airlines in March 2017.

In October of 2018, a Boeing 737 Max aircraft crashed into the Java Sea shortly after departing from Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Tragically, all 189 individuals aboard Lion Air flight 610 perished.

In March of 2019, an Ethiopian Airlines flight, with 157 passengers and crew onboard, crashed shortly after departing from Addis Ababa, resulting in the loss of all lives aboard.

The reason behind both incidents was the MCAS software, which took control away from the pilots and prevented them from saving the planes. It was revealed that Boeing had not been open about the software and how it would affect pilot training.

All Boeing 737 Max aircraft worldwide were grounded for almost two years while modifications were made and tested.

The US Department of Justice ultimately stated that Boeing was found guilty of participating in a scheme to deceive the United States regarding the certification of the 737 Max. As a result, the company has agreed to pay fines totaling more than $2.5 billion (£2 billion).

The market for smaller aircraft is currently experiencing a high demand, resulting in a strong backlog of orders for the plane. The most sought-after model is the Boeing 737 Max 8, which has unfortunately been involved in two tragic accidents.

The Max 9, which is slightly bigger, is used by certain airlines and was involved in an incident that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) referred to as the “in-flight departure of a mid cabin door plug” with some understatement.

Ryanair, doing things rather differently, flies a special variant known as the Max 200 (or 8200), which is a Max 8 adapted to carry more passengers. Europe’s biggest budget airline has also ordered an as-yet uncertified Max 10. Boeing is also working on a smaller Max 7.

Based on information from Boeing:

Neither British carriers nor Ryanair of Ireland operate the Max 9.

According to a representative from the Civil Aviation Authority, there are currently no 737 Max 9 aircraft registered in the UK. Therefore, the potential impact on UK-operated flights and passengers is minimal.

“We have contacted all non-UK and foreign permit carriers to request verification of completed inspections prior to any operations in UK airspace.”

The only carriers with routes serving the UK are Icelandair (with four) and Turkish Airlines (with five, of which three are “parked” and not in use according to Planespotters.net). All of Turkish Airlines’ Max 9s have the door plug, but none of Icelandair’s aircraft has it.

According to a statement from a representative of Icelandair, the recent directive from the FAA does not affect the airline’s four Boeing Max 9 planes. The grounded aircraft have a door plug configuration, while Icelandair’s Max 9s have a deactivated mid cabin exit door setup.

Icelandair adheres to the strictest safety and maintenance regulations, and all safety-related choices are based on approved procedures from the appropriate governing bodies.

Yes, but not with the door plug. For example, an Icelandair Boeing 737 Max 9, registration TF-ICB, flew from Keflavik airport near Reykjavik to London Heathrow and back on both 8 and 9 January. The plane then flew to New York JFK, returning back on the morning of 10 January.

Alaska Airlines and United Airlines are the main operators of the Max 9. They have cancelled dozens of flights each day, affecting thousands of passengers. January is a month of low demand, so space should be available on other departures.

In theory, any airplane could be grounded if a major issue is discovered. However, it is highly improbable. The fact that Alaska Airlines experienced a potentially life-threatening issue with a relatively new aircraft is concerning.

Former US congressman Peter DeFazio, who was in charge of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee until 2022, criticized Spirit AeroSystems – the Kansas-based supplier of the fuselage. He shared on X: “The door plug that caused the explosion on the Max was provided by the same unreliable subcontractor responsible for misdrilled holes in the plane – but I guess they’re inexpensive, so why bother making a change?”

The company’s main priority is ensuring the quality and integrity of the aircraft structures they provide at Spirit AeroSystems.

“Spirit and Boeing have a strong partnership and are working together to address the 737 program. We are adhering to the communication protocols set by regulatory authorities and will provide updates when necessary.”

Speaking on PBS in the US, the respected commentator Jon Ostrower said: “Boeing has tried to move beyond the tragedies that befell Ethiopian Airlines and Lion Air back in 2018 and 2029.

“However, the issue that continues to arise is a pattern of mistakes in quality control that, while not as extreme as those seen in the previous crashes, still have not been effectively addressed and lead to significant disruptions for Boeing, the airlines, and in this particular instance, pose a serious safety concern for the Max, Alaska Airlines, and the 171 passengers aboard the aircraft.”

The core strategy of Boeing as a company remains unchanged. They have implemented additional safety measures, appointed an ombudsman, and reinforced their tactics for ensuring safety.

“However, the company’s objectives for both its stakeholders and clients have remained unchanged for the past two decades.”

Dave Calhoun reassured employees by stating that events such as this have a significant impact on our customers, much like they affected him. He also expressed his belief in the trust our customers have in us and their eventual return in the future.

Rewritten: The two tragic incidents and relatively small amount of flights may give the impression of high danger. According to Airsafe.com, the rate of fatal crashes per million flights is 3.08, whereas the previous version of the Boeing 737 only had a rate of 0.07. The rate for narrow-bodied aircraft manufactured by Airbus, like the A320, is 0.09.

Source: independent.co.uk