Ex-Boeing Manager Alleges Concealment of Critical Electrical Issues in 737 Max Crashes
A US advocacy group, the Foundation for Aviation Safety, has accused Boeing of hiding electrical faults in a 737 Max aircraft that was involved in a fatal crash in Ethiopia in 2019. The group claims that these concealed issues may affect over 1,000 planes currently in service, raising significant safety concerns.
The aircraft in question crashed shortly after taking off from Addis Ababa in March 2019, marking the second deadly accident involving the newly introduced 737 Max, following another incident in Indonesia in 2018. Both crashes have been primarily linked to a faulty flight control system that misactivated due to a sensor failure. However, the Foundation for Aviation Safety suggests that underlying electrical problems due to production issues also played a critical role.
Documents allegedly leaked by Boeing employees and published by the foundation detail numerous production anomalies during the build of the aircraft used in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302. These records reportedly illustrate a range of issues from missing electrical components and improperly installed wiring to high pressure on employees to rectify defective parts. The foundation argues that these problems directly contributed to electrical malfunctions in the aircraft leading up to the crash.
One such malfunction, described in a document from three weeks post-delivery to Ethiopian Airlines, involved an “uncommanded roll” at low altitude caused by intermittent wiring faults. This issue, alongside others detailed in the leaked documents, was purportedly not disclosed to governmental authorities, law enforcement, airlines, families of the victims, or the public, potentially allowing systemic production defects at Boeing’s 737 factory in Renton, Washington, to persist.
Ed Pierson, a former Boeing manager and the head of the Foundation for Aviation Safety, has become a vocal critic of Boeing’s practices. He has testified before US lawmakers, asserting that grave production shortcomings at the Renton factory were instrumental in the two 737 Max crashes—a stance Boeing has steadfastly denied.
The Ethiopian Accident Investigation Bureau’s report supported the idea that production defects were a factor in the sensor failure that triggered the 2019 crash, contrary to findings by the US National Transportation Safety Board, which attributed the sensor failure to an external impact, likely with a bird.
In response to these ongoing safety concerns, Boeing’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, has pledged to rebuild trust and enhance safety measures. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated a corrective action plan to address these issues. Despite these efforts, Pierson criticizes the effectiveness of the improvements, citing insider reports that conditions remain largely unchanged due to predictable FAA inspections.
This controversy underscores ongoing challenges in aviation safety and manufacturing practices, highlighting the critical need for transparency and stringent quality control in the industry. As Boeing seeks to restore its reputation and ensure the safety of its aircraft, the aviation community and regulatory bodies will likely keep a close watch on the company’s efforts to rectify these deeply rooted issues.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, bbc.com