Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua Accountability: Boing withhold safety information of the 737 Max model INGLÉS TÉCNICO -OPAE3- Ingeniería Aeroespacial 6AE1 Andrés Delgado Tallavas a338798 Docente: Domínguez Medrano Rocío Due date: 28/08/2022 Accountability: Boing withhold safety information of the 737 Max model Safety and quality are the guidelines of most aerospace companies that develop aircraft, most enterprises follow rigorous procedures to ensure the optimal functionality of their products and guarantee safe and high-performance products to their customers. Specially during the conceptual design and manufacturing process, which is the time frame when engineers are the most scrupulous and quality becomes priority. The primary focus of this analysis is to exhibit Boing’s failure to convey key functions in the MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristic Augmentation System) during the training process and the purposely withheld of information from the inner hierarchy of the company and regulatory aviation bodies, the “Lion Air” and “Ethiopian Airlines” served as the basis for this study. During the development of aircraft 737 Max (upgraded version of the conventional 737 model) a new feature was added, a software which worked as a background system if certain aerodynamical conditions are met during flight. This feature is meant to safeguard the integrity of the aircraft, which worked in conjunction with the angle of attack indicator to prevent stalling. With that said, it can be easily assumed, that this newly added feature that could potentially take control of the aircraft would be highlighted during the training process and the handbook of the aircraft. However, the MCAS feature was never convey to the operators of the aircraft, Boing proactively withheld information, as a commercial strategy to be a more appealing product to airliners and in order to avoid a simulator training requirement imposed by the FAA. It became clear that this wasn’t and oversight. As a result, Boing company withhold safety information of the aircraft operation and facts were hidden from the training module. As Boing’s reputation continued to deteriorate, Boing company decided to issue additional bulletins to operators and pilots containing existing flight procedures, to overcome any similar situations. Nonetheless, this decision led to the “Ethiopian Airlines” accident just 5 months after the “Lions Air” incident. Boing’s culture of proactively withholding information started as an inner practice of the company hierarchy, as employees rose concerns during conceptual design and during quality control in manufacturing, in which employees were either laid off or their wages were deducted. By instructions of senior Boing employees, it was prohibited any documentation of quality concerns, in order to maintain culpable deniability, this negligent workforce environment contributed to unethical decisions that ultimately lead to a sudden violent event that claimed 346 lives. As the Transportation Infrastructure Committee initiated an investigation of both aircraft incidents. There were numerous questions that remained unanswered, the Boing company initially failed to provide documentation that were requested by the committee. As the former senior manager Edward Pierson of the Boing’s 737 factory was called to testify, he declared production problems at the Renton Factory contributed to the incidents, quoting: “I formally warned Boing leadership in writing on multiple occasions” these warnings were issued before the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes, subsequently these warnings were dismissed. Boing actively attempted to withhold any incriminatory emails and documents out of the public domain. Ultimately, it was found as conceal information of the documents provided to the committee, that the MCAS system was not emphasized as a new function in order to avoid additional training and certification. Concealing the existence of the MCAS system to anybody outside the Boing company, including aviation regulatory government bodies. In conclusion, the deceitful behavior and Boing’s culture of concealment evidenced their lack of remorse and their lack of accountability, claiming 346 lives. Conveying that the conjunction of multiple errors will ultimately result in one major catastrophic event. In the end, Boing business model succeeded with their financial performance, nonetheless a fundamentally flawed aircraft was offered, endangering lives. Companies will disregard safety measures if it means a larger profit, “money is king”.
