Boeing pilot found "egregious" issues with 737 MAX two years before crashes: reports
A Boeing pilot found issues with the flight system that would bring down two Boeing 737 MAX aircraft two years before the first crash, according to reports.
The pilot, Mark Forkner, said in text messages that the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) on the MAX was "running rampant" in simulator flight tests of the aircraft, reported Reuters and The New York Times on Friday. He called the issue "egregious" in the messages to a colleague in November 2016.
Forkner, who has since left Boeing, admitted in the messages that he "basically lied to the regulators (unknowingly)."
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration went on to certify the MAX 8 in March 2017. The model was subsequently involved in two fatal crashes that took the lives of 346 people before all 737 MAX aircraft were grounded this past March.
"Today we brought to the [House Transportation & Infrastructure] Committee's attention a document containing statements by a former Boeing employee," a Boeing spokesman told TPG in response to the reports. "We will continue to cooperate with the committee as it continues its investigation."
The revelation is the latest potential setback for Boeing and returning the 737 MAX to service. The Chicago-based airframer continues to work with the FAA and other global regulators over a software fix to the MCAS system.
Analysts at Cowen said in a report Friday that they now expect Boeing can resume delivering MAX aircraft in December, pending re-certification by the FAA and other regulators. However, they note that the re-certification timeline remains unclear.
U.S. operators American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have all in recent weeks pushed the 737 MAX's return to service to January.
Alaska Airlines was due to take delivery of its first three 737 MAX aircraft in the fourth quarter, but now expects the aircraft in 2020.
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| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
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Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
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Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month