Boeing 737 Max

2017-2019

This is an infuriating story of corporate greed and dangerously sloppy design. The original Boeing 737 models from 1967 were a fantastic success. But when airlines demanded more efficient and longer-range planes, Boeing pulled an awful trick to save money and time. Instead of designing a whole new airplane with modern technology and safety features, new engines were placed on the 50-year-old aircraft frame.

The heavier new engines impaired the flying dynamics, so a computer system was added to stabilize it. This computer system was never mentioned to the pilots. The 737 MAX is the only modern jet without an electronic alert system that explains what is malfunctioning and how to resolve it. Pilots instead had to check a paper manual. In 2018 and 2019 two crashes killed 346 people. The airplanes were banned and cheating on innovation has cost the company over $19 billion.

Additional info:

The Guardian - Boeing 737 Max 9 planes grounded after Alaska Airlines blowout

BBC - Boeing 737 Max: What went wrong?

TheVerge - The perils of fixing a hardware problem with software