Boeing Overestimated Pilot Reaction, Reports from Investigation into 737 Max

After two fatal crashes involving the new Boeing 737 Max, Boeing decided to ground all planes and stop production.  Following this, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched an investigation into the production and assessment of the planes.  The report, recently released, showed the company made several assumptions during the development of the aircraft. 

Boeing had repeatedly told the agency that the pilots should have been able to carry out the emergency procedures they had in place for the plane.  However, NTSB believes the company failed to take into account human response, noting from the pilot’s union that Boeing did not consider “the human factor”. 

During review of the black boxes of the downed aircrafts, it discovered a major flaw that was overlooked.  Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration assumed pilots would be able to handle the emergency, should there be one.  However, these tests were done only in simulations.  In an actual cockpit, one malfunction can cause others – therefore pilots are in a room with multiple alarms going off simultaneously.  Multiple alarms greatly increase the workload of the pilots.

Boeing moved forward with a design, approved by Federal Aviation Administration, based on the fastest response times.  The National Transportation Safety Board recommends Boeing factor in the longer response times when there are multiple alarms.  Both Boeing and the FAA will review the recommendations of the NTSB and adjust accordingly.  In addition, Boeing will also provide new training materials for the pilots.  

Boeing hopes to get the planes back in the air later this year.  However, the FAA has said they do not have a set schedule of when they expect the 737 Max to fly again.  Consumer confidence in the planes have continued to stall.

The report from NTSB comes ahead of Boeing CEO’s scheduled hearing with Congress in regard to the two fatal crashes.  Boeing has also settled the first of several lawsuits this week to families of the victims.