Ethiopian airline crash news
You're referring to the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash that occurred on March 10, 2019. Here's a summary of the news and developments surrounding the incident:
Crash Details:
- Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, took off from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, bound for Nairobi, Kenya, at 8:38 AM local time.
- The plane crashed near the town of Bishoftu, about 31 miles (50 km) southeast of Addis Ababa, at 8:44 AM local time.
- All 157 people on board, including 149 passengers and 8 crew members, were killed in the crash.
Investigation:
- The Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) led the investigation, with assistance from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and other international agencies.
- The investigation found that the plane's MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System) system, which was designed to prevent the plane from stalling, was activated multiple times during the flight.
- The investigation also found that the pilots had followed the recommended procedures for handling a MCAS malfunction, but the system continued to malfunction, leading to the crash.
Causes of the Crash:
- The investigation concluded that the probable cause of the crash was a combination of factors, including:
- The MCAS system's design and certification issues.
- The lack of adequate training for pilots on the MCAS system.
- The failure of the pilots to properly respond to the MCAS malfunction.
Consequences:
- The crash led to a global grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX fleet, with over 300 planes affected.
- Boeing faced widespread criticism and lawsuits over the design and certification of the MCAS system.
- The crash also led to changes in the aviation industry, including increased scrutiny of aircraft design and certification processes.
Aftermath:
- The crash led to a significant increase in air travel safety concerns and scrutiny of the aviation industry.
- The incident also highlighted the importance of proper pilot training and the need for more robust safety protocols.
- The crash also led to a significant financial impact on Boeing, with the company facing billions of dollars in losses and lawsuits.
Recent Developments:
- In November 2020, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved Boeing's revised MCAS system design, allowing the 737 MAX to return to service.
- In December 2020, the first commercial flight of the 737 MAX took place, with a flight from Miami to New York.
- The Ethiopian Airlines crash remains one of the deadliest aviation accidents in recent history, and its impact on the aviation industry continues to be felt.