Topic: Mcas

The FAA's Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) program, which allowed Boeing to appoint its own representatives to certify aircraft software, is linked to the 737 MAX 8 disasters. Critics point to the Obama administration's efforts to fast-track Boeing exports and reduce "red tape" as a contributing factor to the lack of oversight. Boeing notably donated $10 million to the Obama Presidential Library following these policy shifts.

Technical analysis of the Boeing 737 MAX crashes points to a fundamental design flaw in the MCAS software and manual trim systems. At high airspeeds, pilots are physically unable to manually trim the aircraft's nose up once the computer initiates a dive. The lack of triple redundancy in the trim system is cited as a critical failure requiring recertification.

The global grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX continues following concerns over the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). Listeners point out that redundant angle-of-attack sensors were sold as optional upgrades rather than standard safety features. The controversy has led to a surge in orders for competitor Airbus.

A Southwest Airlines pilot clarifies the technical details of the Boeing 737 MAX's Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). The system relies on Angle of Attack (AOA) sensors and can trigger "runaway trim," a condition pilots should be trained to handle manually. Boeing is criticized for failing to include MCAS details in initial training materials, leading to inadequate responses from flight crews in the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines disasters.

The FBI has joined a criminal investigation into the certification process of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 following two fatal crashes. Reports indicate that a sensor malfunction triggered the MCAS anti-stall system, repeatedly pushing the aircraft's nose down. In the Lion Air flight preceding the crash, a jump-seat pilot reportedly identified the issue and instructed the crew on how to stabilize the plane by cutting the trim stabs.

The hosts examine a February 2018 CNBC interview with a pilot spokesperson who warned about Boeing's failure to disclose the MCAS system to pilots. They argue that the "secret" nature of the system was known within the industry over a year before the recent crashes. The discussion highlights an emergency airworthiness directive issued by the FAA that should have alerted all global operators to the procedural changes required for the aircraft.

A preliminary report on the Lion Air Flight 610 crash identifies the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) as a primary factor. The automated anti-stall system repeatedly forced the plane's nose down based on faulty sensor data, and pilots were reportedly not trained on how to disable it. The hosts discuss Boeing's decision to outsource avionics and the potential for massive legal liability.