The Boeing 737 MAX, grounded for almost a year, is a plane "basically defective and dangerous", estimated this Friday the transport committee of the American congress. It calls for reform of the legislation and regulations relating to the certification of airliners.
"The fact that several technical design errors or certification errors have been deemed" compliant "by the FAA [the air regulator] illustrates a crucial need for legislative and regulatory reform," she said in the conclusions of her preliminary report. , unveiled this Friday.
The system "needs changes"
"Developing a commercial aircraft that complies with FAA regulations but is fundamentally flawed and dangerous highlights an aviation monitoring system that is in desperate need of change," said the commission. The American manufacturer's flagship plane has been grounded since March 13, 2019 after two accidents that killed 346 people.
The MCAS anti-stall system has been questioned and Boeing is currently working on a fix. The giant in Seattle (northwest) had to suspend deliveries. And in January, he resolved to stop production. He also replaced his managing director. This crisis is the most serious in 104 years of the famous aircraft manufacturer's history. It highlighted a myriad of dysfunctions.
Pressure on employees
In its report, the Transport Commission lists the five main criticisms that have already been highlighted by other investigations: the pressures on Boeing employees to increase the production rate of the MAX at the expense of safety, false assumptions on critical technologies including MCAS, concealment of crucial information from the FAA, client companies and pilots, conflicts of interest as well as Boeing's influence on the FAA.
The air regulator said in a statement that its certification procedures had led to unprecedented aviation safety in the United States, but said it was an institution "that learns and is open to further examination". David Calhoun, the new boss of Boeing, took the reins on January 13 to replace Dennis Muilenburg. He promised a change in internal culture to restore the reputation of the company tarnished by this crisis, as well as the bonds of trust with the authorities and client companies.
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