I'm no expert on this, but whoever is personally responsible in Boeing it does rather seem that the company itself needs a serious hammering since their decisions caused a lot of people to die, seemingly needlessly.
>> I remember reading that when it was first published, the first thing I thought was,
>> what other aircraft have got problems lurking?
Airbus machines have caught pilots out when the computers have removed the protections that normally stop them from doing something that might endanger the aircraft (see Air France 447). That though is stuff pilots are supposed to have been trained about but in reality it's shown up a number, including AF447, as lacking basic stick and rudder skills.
Over reliance on the automatics is not just an Airbus thing; there's an AAIB report on a Boeing 757 at Newcastle showing similar issues.
I think the difference with MAX8 is that the software that caused the problem was not properly explained and documented as part of the conversion training.
Thinking some more maybe Kegworth, where differences training between 737 versions with 'clockwork' instruments and those with electronic displays might have been a factor was writing on the wall.........
In this case though it's only associated with aft centre of gravity (ie load position) and is controllable with normal stick inputs, no equivalent of the Boeing's application of counter trim.
>> I remember reading that when it was first published, the first thing I thought was,
>> what other aircraft have got problems lurking?
>>
Cracks found in 38 of 800 Boeing 737 NG jets inspected globally
>> Fatigue cracking in all airliners is not uncommon, which is why they have major inspections
>> and why they are designed to prevent crack propagation.
AIUI it wasn't regular inspections that turned up these problems. The first cracked 'pickle forks' were discovered when converting pax aircraft for freight.
>> They are not the first cracked "pickle forks" Nor the first cracked pylon hangers or..
>> or... or....
AIUI the current issue is 'pickle forks' in 737NG machines at around a third of their expected service life in hours or flight cycles. Not aware of issues with similar components in earlier 737 versions (Classic or Jurassic) or other machines.
I'm not aiming at Boeing over Airbus, Douglas or any of the other current or previous plane builders. IIRC there's a current issue with flaps on the A380.
TUI example G-TUMF has today moved from Tenerife, via Malaga, to Birmingham. Crossed over my place near Northampton about 10 minutes ago. Cruised at 18,000 feet, apparently must keep first stage of flaps deployed so as to prevent MCAS from interfering in the flight.
Boeing gets it right around 50,000 times nearly every day when of their aircraft lands safely.
It does appear that mistakes have been made. Whether or not MCAS was a mistake, or the design that relied on unvalidated and incorrect data, the 'sistering' of certification almost certainly was and the FAA must have some responsibility.
As is so often the case, it's not the mistakes that are so egregious, it's the sweeping under the carpet/cover up.
That's trite, it's really very complicated I'm sure. But it goes to the top, as always.
Ironic in a way that it should happen in aviation, the only field I can think of in which a no-blame culture has ever been established.
...well, nothing dropped off (not even me on the relatively short flight). The worst part was a bit of repeated turbulence, and the howls of a rather grizzly baby :-( The flight departed about 30 minutes after advertised, and arrived 20 minutes early.
Two things reinforced on the journey; i) I'm not a great fan of Boeing planes (the Airbus configuration and ambience is, IMO, rather better (and the 737 Max 8 in Air Canada configuration is passable but certainly isn't a great experience)) and ii) Heathrow is a sh***y airport. I thought MCR was bad, but Heathrow has deteriorated. Dreadfully long walk from the plane, such travelators as there were all out of order, and 3 out of the 6 T2" lifts, a necessity with a luggage trolley, were also out of order. (as they had dorrs at both ends, the resulting battles to board were a sight to see). OTOH, I was through border control via the e-gates in seconds without queueing, though they rejected the current Mrs 'nE even though she has a newer passport than me :-)
All in all a very enjoyable holiday, with just about everything running smoothly.