Dossier Boeing 737 MAX 8
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From today you can watch the documentary "Downfall: the case against Boeing" on Netflix. He delves into the corporate culture of the American aircraft manufacturer and finds out where things went wrong with the Boeing 737 MAX. Two of those aircraft crashed in 2018 and 2019, 346 people did not survive those crashes. Did Boeing then send an unsafe aircraft into the air? VRT NWS aviation expert Riadh Bahri talks about the revelations from the documentary in "Late": "Simply put: Boeing cheated."
What is the Boeing 737 MAX?
The Boeing 737 MAX was developed about ten years ago by the American aircraft manufacturer Boeing and is an 'update' of their flagship, the Boeing 737.
"The 737 itself has been around since the 1960s," says VRT NWS aviation expert Riadh Bahri in "Laat". Boeing sold thousands of copies, but felt the hot breath of the European competitor Airbus. "That's why Boeing wanted to prepare the 737 for the future with an update."
But that competition leads to rush work: "Boeing actually chose to equip old bodywork with new engines, new software and beautiful LCD screens. The Boeing 737 MAX was more economical and efficient, and because pilots and engineers were already familiar with the bodywork , they no longer had to follow additional training and airlines could save on maintenance and training costs. And that of course sounds like music to the ears of companies."
That worked too. When the Boeing 737 MAX comes onto the market in 2017, it is an instant success. The aircraft sells quickly and many airlines include it in their fleet. But in October 2018 things go terribly wrong.
What exactly went wrong with that plane?
The aircraft is only a year old, and yet in October 2018 a Boeing 737 MAX of an Indonesian airline crashes in the Java Sea. 189 people died. Less than five months later, in March 2019, a similar plane crashed in Ethiopia. The 157 passengers do not survive there either.
The device is brand new at that time, so all alarm bells are ringing. "That was absolutely abnormal, that had never happened in modern aviation history," says Bahri. "A few days after that second crash, all aircraft of that type worldwide were grounded. That cost Boeing billions, companies no longer wanted to buy the aircraft. A nightmare on a human level, but also on a business economic level."
That was absolutely abnormal, that had never happened in modern aviation history
The aircraft is no longer allowed to fly and there is a massive search for the cause of the crashes. "Boeing had put very powerful, new engines in the older bodywork. As a result, the aircraft had a tendency to push the nose up a bit during flight," explains Bahri.
To prevent the plane from crashing, a system was developed via the rear rudder to keep the plane stable.
A system that sounds good, but turns out differently in practice. "The system failed on several fronts. Instead of pushing the nose down slightly, the plane was pushed down sharply in an uncontrollable dive."
Pilots in the cockpit can no longer resist those gigantic forces and speeds. That mistake causes two planes to crash, with a dramatic outcome.
“Instead of pushing the nose down slightly, the plane was pushed down in an uncontrollable dive,” Riadh Bahri demonstrates how the Boeing 737 MAX could crash:
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What do we learn from the documentary?
The Netflix documentary promises to expose that Boeing chose profit over safety, and according to Bahri, it succeeded.
"Simply put: Boeing has screwed things up", is his conclusion. "Boeing did not pass this error on to the airlines and pilots, they knew nothing about it." This is remarkable, especially in a sector where safety is the highest good. "Boeing gambled and lost very badly."
The management of Boeing itself does not speak in the documentary, they only respond in writing. "They also refuse to admit that it is their fault or responsibility. There are huge claims for damages hanging over their heads. They have apologized, but you will never hear the top of Boeing say that they have deliberately concealed something in order to protect the aircraft. to get it up in the air."
This is the story of a company that has grown so big and powerful that it thinks it can get away with anything
Because the documentary also exposes that: the cover-up culture that prevailed at Boeing. "Engineers who pointed out safety risks were silenced. There was also an urge to deliver everything as quickly as possible. There was a countdown clock in every manager's office, so that everyone would do their job as quickly as possible. The aviation authority got not being told the truth, lying in documents, … This is the story of a company that has grown so big and powerful that it thinks it can get away with anything."
The most important question: is the device safe now?
Since last year, the Boeing 737 MAX has been allowed to fly again. Not with Brussels Airlines, which flies with Airbus aircraft, but with other European companies. "The chance that you get on such a plane in Europe is quite high," says Bahri.
But not unimportant, now that you can travel with it again: is the device safe now?
"Yes," says Bahri resolutely. "We are not going to be dramatic about that, the device is now very, very safe. Nobody is going to risk sending such a device into the air if they are not 5000 percent sure that every thread has been checked."
The documentary "Downfall: the case against Boeing" can be viewed on Netflix from today.
"Simply put: Boeing screwed things up," watch the entire conversation with Riadh Bahri in "Late" here:
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FAQs
What went wrong with the Boeing 737 MAX? Netflix documentary exposes how a brand new plane could still crash? ›
The autopilot, fooled by the faulty sensor into believing the plane was moving too slowly, commanded the plane's nose down to gather speed. Meanwhile the autothrottle was stuck at full takeoff thrust. Soon the jet was moving much too fast, beyond its maximum design speed.
What was the error on the Boeing 737 MAX? ›The autopilot, fooled by the faulty sensor into believing the plane was moving too slowly, commanded the plane's nose down to gather speed. Meanwhile the autothrottle was stuck at full takeoff thrust. Soon the jet was moving much too fast, beyond its maximum design speed.
What happened in the Boeing 737 MAX crash and why? ›The system was designed to assist pilots familiar with previous generations of the 737, and prevent them from needing costly extra training in order to fly the new model. But sensor failures caused it to malfunction, and in both cases it forced the aircraft into a catastrophic dive the pilots were unable to prevent.
What happened in Boeing documentary? ›Its story examines the 2018 and 2019 Boeing 737 MAX incidents, where two airliners crashed killing a combined 346 people and how Boeing may have been more concerned with financial gain over the safety of their passengers.
Did the families from the 737 Max sue Boeing? ›In a Texas federal courtroom, families of those killed in Boeing 737 MAX crashes finally have their voices heard. The airplane manufacturer was accused of fraud for misleading federal regulators about the safety of its jets, but stayed out of court by making a deal with prosecutors.
Did Boeing pay compensation to families of crash victims? ›Boeing in 2021 agreed to acknowledge liability for compensatory damages in lawsuits filed by families of the 157 people killed in the fatal Ethiopian 737 MAX crash. In February, the U.S. planemaker sought to exclude any evidence of pain and suffering that passengers may have experienced before the crash.
Was Boeing found guilty in the 737 Max? ›Under the terms of the deal, Boeing admitted to defrauding the FAA by concealing safety problems with the 737 Max, and agreed to pay $2.5 billion in fines and compensation to airlines and relatives of the crash victims.
How much did Boeing lose on the 737 Max lawsuit? ›On January 7, 2021, Boeing settled to pay over $2.5 billion after being charged with fraud over the company's hiding of information from safety regulators: a criminal monetary penalty of $243.6 million, $1.77 billion of damages to airline customers, and a $500 million crash-victim beneficiaries fund.
What airline has never had a crash? ›4 Qatar Airways
Like Etihad, the airline has never had a fatal accident, and its only hull losses have come about due to hangar fires during maintenance. Qatar Airways' planes, particularly its widebodies, are some of the industry's newest designs, and its fleet as a whole has an average age of 10.9 years old.
The company received a $244 million fine and agreed to pay compensation to airlines and victims, raising the cost of the deal to $2.5 billion.
How much money did the Boeing victims get? ›
As a result, Boeing agreed to establish a $500 million fund to compensate the families of those who died, pay a fine of nearly $244 million and pay $1.77 billion in compensation to airlines.
Did Boeing lose the lawsuit? ›A federal appeals court has rejected a class action lawsuit against Boeing and Southwest Airlines that accused the companies of putting 737 MAX passengers in harm's way and covering up known dangers to the flying public.
How much money did Boeing have to pay in compensation? ›The settlement allowed Boeing to avoid prosecution, and included a fine of $243.6m, compensation to airlines of $1.77bn and a $500m fund for crash victims over fraud conspiracy charges related to the plane's flawed design.
Why was Boeing not criminally prosecuted? ›Boeing and its top officials have avoided criminal prosecution, however, because of the settlement reached between the company and the government in January 2021. Boeing was charged with a single count of defrauding the United States to get regulators to approve the Max jet.
How much do airlines pay out for death? ›Compensation in case of death or injury
According to Article 21 of the Montreal Convention, in case of death of passengers, the airline is liable to pay up to 1,13,100 Special Drawing Rights for each passenger. This works out to approximately $1,74,000 at current rates.
You should feel completely confident that we have taken all the necessary steps to confirm that our 737 MAX aircraft are as safe as any of our aircraft flying today. Safety has been and always will be our top priority, and it's something we will never compromise for any reason.
Do families get paid if a plane crashes? ›In wrongful death cases arising from an airplane accident, most states provide that the decedent's spouse and children, if any, are entitled to sue for damages.
Did Boeing say there was no pain or suffering? ›Judge rejects Boeing request to block pain and suffering damages for crash victims who died upon impact. A federal judge rejected arguments from attorneys for Boeing that it should not have to pay for the pain and suffering of 157 victims of a March 2019 Boeing 737 Max crash because they all died on impact.
Were the families of the 737 Max crashes compensated? ›Boeing has previously said it has acknowledged the terrible harm caused by the 2019 MAX accident and an earlier 2018 crash in Indonesia. The crashes took 346 lives. The company has said it made an upfront commitment to fully and fairly compensate every family that suffered losses.
Did anybody go to jail for Boeing 737 MAX? ›The pilot, Mark Forkner, was the only person to face criminal charges for flaws that resulted in two fatal crashes of one of Boeing's most important planes.
How many 737 Max are flying now? ›
Nearly 1,000 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are currently active across the skies.
Which is the safest plane? ›- Airbus A380. Airbus A380 photo by Vitaly V. ...
- Embraer E-190. Embraer E190 photo by Valentin Hintikka from Finland, CC BY 2.0. ...
- Boeing 767. Boeing 767 photo by Luis Argerich from Buenos Aires, Argentina, CC BY 2.0. ...
- Airbus A319neo. ...
- Bombardier CRJ-700.
Boeing Co. will pay $200 million to settle charges that the company and its former CEO misled investors about the safety of its 737 Max after two of the airliners crashed, killing 346 people.
What is the Boeing lawsuit about birth defects? ›Parents believe toxins in company factories caused serious birth defects in their kids. THE ALLEGATIONS: Three families sued the Boeing Co., alleging three parents were exposed to chemicals while working in company factories, causing birth defects in their children.
Did Boeing fine $200 million for misleading investors on safety of 737 Max? ›US regulators say Boeing and its former CEO "put profits over people", misleading the public about the safety of the 737 MAX aircraft.
What was the worst airline in the US? ›Southwest Airlines named worst airline in the US, according to new study.
What are the worst airlines to fly? ›- Frontier Airlines (705)
- Spirit Airlines (727)
- American Airlines (764)
The most fatalities in any aviation accident in history occurred during 1977 in the Tenerife airport disaster, when 583 people were killed when two Boeing 747s collided on a runway.
How many 737 Max crashes have there been? ›As of March 2022, there has been a total of 503 aviation accidents and incidents involving all 737 aircraft, including 219 hull losses resulting in a total of 5,717 fatalities.
How much did Boeing pay families for 737 Max? ›As part of the settlement, Boeing agreed to pay $2.5 billion, with most of it going to the airlines.
Where did William Boeing get his money? ›
Boeing founded Aero Products Company shortly after he and U.S. Navy officer Conrad Westervelt developed a single-engine, two-seat seaplane, the B&W. Renamed Boeing Airplane Company in 1917, the enterprise built “flying boats” for the Navy during World War I, and in the 1920s…
How much money does Boeing get from the government? ›In 2021, 49% of its revenue came from the federal government. Know the top Boeing government contracts here!
Why is Boeing paying $200 million to the SEC? ›The SEC said the company and its former CEO violated securities laws by making “materially misleading” public statements. Without admitting or denying the findings, Boeing and Muilenburg agreed to pay $200 million and $1 million, respectively, to settle the allegations.
What is the latest problem with Boeing? ›The latest problem comes as Boeing has been under intense scrutiny since two accidents in 2018 and 2019 involving its 737 Max planes killed 346 people. Authorities said the accidents were triggered by design flaws in its flight control software.
Does Boeing pay well? ›Boeing pays an average of $72,617 per year, or $34.91 an hour.
Who is the highest paid employee at Boeing? ›The highest-paid job at Boeing is a program manager.
These professionals earn an average salary of $108,587, which works out to about $ 52.21 per hour.
Boeing leadership 2022 compensation. Calhoun's total compensation in 2022 of $22.5 million includes grants of shares that will vest in the future. His actual take-home pay last year, consisting of base salary, annual bonus and previously awarded shares that vested in 2022, was $7 million.
How much does Boeing CEO get paid? ›Most of Calhoun's 2022 compensation was in the form of estimated value of stock and option awards. He received the same $1.4 million salary as in 2021. Calhoun became CEO in January 2020 after Dennis Muilenburg was ousted in fallout from two crashes of Boeing 737 Max jets that killed 346 people.
Why is the Boeing 737 MAX unstable? ›The Boeing 737 MAX is an aerodynamically unstable aircraft that is enhanced via MCAS to prevent stalling. This instability is caused by the higher thrust, location and geometry of the CFM LEAP 1B turbofans used on the Boeing 737 MAX.
How much did Boeing lose on the 737 MAX lawsuit? ›On January 7, 2021, Boeing settled to pay over $2.5 billion after being charged with fraud over the company's hiding of information from safety regulators: a criminal monetary penalty of $243.6 million, $1.77 billion of damages to airline customers, and a $500 million crash-victim beneficiaries fund.
Did Boeing pay 737 MAX victims? ›
Boeing To Pay $2.5 Billion Settlement Over Deadly 737 Max Crashes. Investigators found that both crashes were caused in part by a flawed automated flight control system called MCAS.
Is 737 MAX still grounded? ›The FAA ultimately grounded the MAX on March 13, 2019 and lifted the flight prohibition order in November 2020 after Boeing made a series of software upgrades and training changes.
Is 737 Max safe to fly now? ›Is the Max airplane safe? It is, now. Boeing engineers have modified the MCAS, made it less obtrusive, and kept it under the pilots' control unlike earlier. Also, Aviation Regulators the world over, being 'once bitten twice shy', have mandated Ground Training and Simulator Training for the pilots.
Do pilots like the 737 Max? ›Union officials indicate that pilots like the Max and are confident in the changes from Boeing. Representatives of three unions said that crews were largely happy with the plane and added that, except at a select few airlines, training backlogs were the biggest challenge to getting more pilots in the cockpit.
Do plane crash survivors get money? ›Generally, an injured person may be compensated for past and future medical expenses, past and future lost earnings, past and future pain and suffering, past and future disability and any disfigurement that has resulted from the accident.
How much does an airline pay for death? ›According to Section 28 of Schedule III of MC99, an interim compensation of ₹10 lakh per passenger should be offered by the airline. “The compensation is generally paid within 90 days. The details of the nominee are noted when next of the kin approaches to collect the mortal remains of the passenger," said Martin.
How much compensation did 737 Max families get? ›As a result, Boeing agreed to establish a $500 million fund to compensate the families of those who died, pay a fine of nearly $244 million and pay $1.77 billion in compensation to airlines.
What is 737 Max called now? ›Since then the aircraft has been referred to as both the 787 and the Dreamliner. The naming convention that Boeing now applies to its aircraft such as the 787, which comes in the 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10, will also be applied to the 737 MAX.
Is 737 Max still banned? ›The MAX resumed commercial flights in the U.S. in December 2020, and was recertified in Europe and Canada by January 2021.