Boeing's Ignored Plea from Ethiopian Airlines Before 737 MAX Crash

In Ethiopia, a tragic plane crash occurred on March 10, 2019, when a Boeing 737 MAX 8 operated by Ethiopian Airlines crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of all 157 passengers and crew on board. This incident followed a similar crash of a Lion Air flight in Indonesia in 2018, which raised significant concerns about the safety of the 737 MAX aircraft. Just three months prior to the Ethiopian crash, the chief pilot of Ethiopian Airlines reached out to Boeing for critical information regarding emergency procedures, specifically inquiring about issues related to the flight control system that had been implicated in the Lion Air disaster. Boeing's response was inadequate; instead of providing the requested information, the company directed the pilot to a public document related to the Lion Air crash, citing restrictions due to ongoing investigations. This lack of communication has been scrutinized, with aviation experts suggesting that had the Ethiopian pilots received more detailed guidance, the outcome might have been different. An investigation by the Ethiopian government concluded that the questions raised by the airline were safety-critical and that a more thorough response from Boeing could have potentially prevented the crash. The families of the victims from both crashes are now using these communications in their legal efforts against Boeing, which is facing a plea deal related to criminal fraud charges stemming from the incidents. The deal includes a significant financial penalty and commitments to improve safety protocols, but it is facing opposition from the victims' families who seek accountability and justice for their loved ones.