Boeing 'inappropriately coached' pilots in 737 MAX testing: U.S. Senate report

[rooster59]

Boeing 'inappropriately coached' pilots in 737 MAX testing: U.S. Senate report

By David Shepardson

 

FILE PHOTO: Grounded Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are seen parked in an aerial photo at Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington, U.S. July 1, 2019.REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Boeing officials "inappropriately coached" test pilots during recertification efforts after two fatal 737 MAX crashes killed 346 people, according to a lengthy congressional report released on Friday.

 

The report from the Senate Commerce Committee Republican staff raised questions about testing this year of a key safety system known as MCAS tied to both fatal crashes was contrary to proper protocol.

 

The committee concluded Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing officials "had established a pre-determined outcome to reaffirm a long-held human factor assumption related to pilot reaction time ... It appears, in this instance, FAA and Boeing were attempting to cover up important information that may have contributed to the 737 MAX tragedies."

 

The report citing a whistleblower who alleged Boeing officials encouraged test pilots to "remember, get right on that pickle switch" prior to the exercise that resulted in pilot reaction in approximately four seconds, while another pilot in a separate test reacted in approximately 16 seconds.

 

The account was corroborated during an FAA staff interview, the committee added.

 

Numerous reports have found Boeing failed to adequately consider how pilots respond to cockpit emergencies in its development of the 737 MAX.

 

Boeing said Friday it takes "seriously the committee’s findings and will continue to review the report in full."

 

The FAA said Friday it was "carefully reviewing the document, which the committee acknowledges contains a number of unsubstantiated allegations."

 

The agency added it is "confident that the safety issues that played a role in the tragic (737 MAX) accidents involving Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 have been addressed through the design changes required and independently approved by the FAA and its partners."

 

Senate Commerce Committee chairman Roger Wicker said the report "details a number of significant examples of lapses in aviation safety oversight and failed leadership in the FAA."

 

The committee also said "multiple independent whistleblowers contacted the committee to allege FAA senior management was complicit in determining the 737 MAX training certification level prior to any evaluation."

 

Boeing resisted requiring simulator training for pilots before operating the 737 MAX but reversed course in January.

 

The report also noted Southwest Airlines was able to operate more than 150,000 flights carrying 17.2 million passengers on jets without confirmation that required maintenance had been completed.

 

The Senate report said the Southwest flights "put millions of passengers at potential risk." Southwest said Friday it was aware of the report and added "we do not tolerate any relaxing of standards that govern ultimate safety across our operation."

 

Boeing still faces an ongoing criminal probe into the MAX. The committee said its review was "constrained due to the continued criminal investigation"

 

Last month, the FAA approved the 737 MAX's return to service and flights have resumed in Brazil. The first U.S. 737 MAX commercial flight with paying passengers is set for Dec. 29.

 

Last month, the Senate committee unanimously a bill to reform how FAA certifies new airplanes and grant new protections for whistleblowers, among other reforms, while the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a similar bill.

 

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chris Reese and David Gregorio)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-12-19

 

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[tifino]

so... Boeing did a 'Volkswagon' 

[Kinnock]

Corporate greed.  Boeing were totally focused on the bottom line and on beating Airbus, even after the two crashes.

[Tropicalevo]

16 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Boeing said Friday it takes "seriously the committee’s findings and will continue to review the report in full."

and reviewing the report, Boeing will ignore it and carry on flying. Hoping that they do not have another crash.

New training procedure for Boeing Max pilots - "during take-off, at least one of you must cross your fingers."

[klauskunkel]

18 hours ago, rooster59 said:

allege FAA senior management was complicit

Brown envelopes, or BOEING stock...

[John Drake]

Now worry for Boeing, if they can't sell planes or find themselves losing billions in lawsuits, the US Government and Federal Reserve will just pour tens of billions into Covid relief for Boeing's execs and stockholders. Got to keep the Dow up! What's a few lives anyway?

[Elkski]

I do think this case is a one of  corporate greed, cover up,  low level personal being ignored or overruled by high level government employees,  possible corruption, a legal system that favors big corporations over victims.  I found it very telling during this recert period when boeing was still trying to dictate no sim time before a pilot qualifies to fly a max.   I feel for the fear and suffering of the passengers and their families.   I think a damage award in a  case like this should have  brought boeing to its last financial thread.  

[BusyB]

12 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

Brown envelopes, or BOEING stock...

 

I once worked for a US airline whose FAA 'line-checker' (can't remember the title, was responsible for monitoring and certifying flight operations) had already been promised a board seat when he retired.

 

I never saw such disgraceful airmanship anywhere as I did in that outfit.

[Elkski]

It is a real big sales benefit for a airplane if pilots don't need to spend time at expensive sims located around the World.  I had an hour in Sim at DFW.  A Falcon 20 sim.  So real I almost got sick.  Hangover plus greasy burger in the sim Cafe.    Supposedly the cost was 1000$/hr back in mid 90's

[Wullie Mercer]

Don't think many will be rshing  to book flights on this aircraft.

Still has the basic flaw of engines too big for aircraft and possibly wrongly positioned, effecting the flying characteristics on take off.

It might be a long time before I step on one, I try to avoid dog <deleted> as a rule.

[Moncul]

Never fear, the Russians have just started putting their own engines on their own 737 knock offs.