Monday August 26, 2024
Investigators and rescue personnel examine the wreckage of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a Boeing 737 MAX, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa on March 10, 2019, killing all 157 people on board. The tragedy led to global scrutiny of Boeing’s 737 MAX model and its MCAS flight control system.
Mogadishu (HOL) — A former Boeing manager, Ed Pierson, now leading the Foundation for Aviation Safety, has accused Boeing of hiding critical electrical faults in its 737 MAX aircraft, contributing to the Ethiopian Airlines crash in 2019 that killed 157 people, including Somali nationals. The Foundation claims over 1,000 planes currently flying may face similar risks due to production flaws.
The crash, minutes after takeoff from Bole International Airport, was the second involving a 737 MAX following an earlier incident in Indonesia in 2018. Boeing stated that it fully cooperated with the investigation into the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash. However, both crashes were linked primarily to the malfunctioning of the MCAS flight control system due to sensor failures.
Documents released by the Foundation, reportedly leaked by Boeing employees, describe a chaotic production process at the 737 MAX factory, revealing issues such as improper wiring and insufficient electrical parts. The Foundation argues these issues were hidden from authorities, airlines, and the public.
In the weeks leading up to the crash, the aircraft reportedly suffered from several electrical problems, including an "uncommanded roll" at low altitude. Pierson testified before U.S. lawmakers, asserting that production defects played a significant role in the crashes—a claim Boeing denies. The Ethiopian Accident Investigation Bureau's report supported the view that production issues were a factor, while the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) attributed the sensor failure to a possible bird strike.
Despite these findings, Boeing insiders have disputed the concealment allegations, maintaining that investigations have not validated Pierson's claims. Boeing's new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, has pledged to restore trust in the company by improving safety and quality control. However, Pierson argues that efforts remain insufficient, particularly with FAA inspections known in advance.