FAA declares Boeing 737 Max jets are safe after investigation

In the aftermath of two catastrophic crashes involving the Boeing 737 Max 8 model in 2018, aviation safety concerns escalated globally. The first incident occurred on October 29, 2018, when Lion Air Flight 610 crashed shortly after takeoff from Jakarta, Indonesia, leading to the deaths of all 189 passengers and crew members on board. The second tragedy struck Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March 10, 2019, killing all 157 people on board. These incidents culminated in the worldwide grounding of the Max 8 aircraft in March 2019, with significant implications for Boeing's reputation and financial stability. Following a thorough investigation by various aviation authorities, including the FAA, EASA, and the Civil Aviation Authority in the UK, the Max jets were deemed safe to return to service in November 2020. However, safety concerns did not dissipate completely, as incidents continued to occur even after the aircraft's return. In December 2024, a Jeju Air-operated Boeing 737-800 crashed in South Korea, while an April 2024 incident involved a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 losing an engine cover during takeoff. Additionally, in January 2024, Alaska Airlines faced an emergency directive from the FAA concerning the grounding of certain Max models after a door panel fell off post-takeoff. Although the Max 9 models were declared operational again by February 2024, these ongoing issues highlighted the continuous scrutiny surrounding Boeing's aircraft designs. While investigations and subsequent measures have addressed many safety concerns, lingering skepticism remained among passengers and aviation authorities alike about the overall safety of the Boeing 737 Max series and its various models.