On Sunday, March 17, 2019, as thousands walked the streets of Ethiopia for a funeral of the victims of the crashed Ethiopian Airlines, information from the analysis of the black boxes recovered from the crashed plane were also disclosed. Dagmawit Moges, Ethiopia’s transport minister told the press that the plane’s flight data recorder shows a similarity with crashed Indonesian Lion Air of last October.
“During the investigation of the FDR [flight data recorder], clear similarities were noted between Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and Indonesian Lion Air Flight 610, which will be the subject of further investigation,” Moges said.
According to Moges, the flight recorders were in good condition and the team was able to extract the data it contained. Her statement confirms initial suspicions raised over the crash of two Sundays ago as aviation analysts already pointed out similarities between the two fatal events – both were brand new 737 MAXes that crashed a few minutes after take-off. And both experienced a sudden drop in altitude and quick acceleration before the crash. Initial satellite-based tracking data also showed that the movements of both flights were similar.
These initial suspicions raised fear over the safety of the Boeing 737 MAX series causing several airlines in countries around the world to ground their MAX fleets including the United States. An initial investigation into Indonesia’s Lion Air crash pointed to a Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System(MCAS) as what could be responsible. The MCAS is a new anti-stall sensor Boeing installed in the MAX’s control system to automatically stabilise the plane without informing the pilot.
Boeing has since been working on a software upgrade for the MCAS and pilot displays on the 737 MAX. The airplane manufacturer also said that it is updating pilot training, which could be via an additional 10 to 15 minute iPad course that would explain the new software. A Report by Reuters says Boeing plans to release the upgraded software in a week to 10 days.
More information concerning the analysis of the black boxes would be released in a few days, and a well-detailed report will be released by the Ethiopian ministry of Accident Investigation Bureau in 30 days according to international rules, Moges said. However, the Federal Aviation Authority(FAA) and the U.S National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are yet to validate the data and confirm Moges’ statement. A probe into the aircraft’s certification by the FAA is currently being conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Boeing’s market value continues to dwindle
After a 13 percent drop last week that wiped out about $28 billion of Boeing’s market value, the company stock went down another 3.5 percent on Monday to $365.60 in early pre-market trade. In 2018, Boeing made a record sale of over $100 billion for the first time in its history of over a hundred years, with the 737 MAX as its bestseller. The company also had a backlog of over 4500 orders worth over $500 billion. But several airlines are now re-considering their orders. A few have said they would request for compensation.
As predicted, companies are now turning their attention to Airbus, Boeing’s main competition in the commercial airline industry. The European airplane manufacturer has witnessed a five percent stock rise since the crash. Until the Ethiopian crash, Boeing’s MAX was the most reliable modern passenger plane in the industry.
