As a result of a break-through collection of disturbing text messages, it has been uncovered that one of Boeing’s top pilots struggled with the 737 MAX flight controls.
Contacting a colleague, the pilot mentions the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) and how it was “running rampant” during a simulator test run.
To Make matters worse, the text messages shed light on potential software issues affecting flight training and testing simulators as the test pilot involved battled various problems during his run.
Reuters were the first to report on these messages, which during the nine minute exchange between ex-Chief Technical Pilot Mark Forkner told his colleague Patrick Gustavsson that he was relaxing in his hotel room “with an ice cold grey goose” after spending time in the flight simulator.
With the messages now being widely reported by the media, Boeing’s stocks have dropped enormously and regulators have begun firing questions. A new call in Congress has also insisted Boeing conduct further management changes.
The text messages were sent during November 2016, which was four months before the 737 MAX was certified by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Reuters also notes that the simulator, provided by Textron’s TRU Simulation + Training, was still months away from being certified for training use and was riddled with various technical problems.
“I’m levelling off at like 4000 ft, 230 knots and the plane is trimming itself like craxy (sic). I’m like, WHAT?”
Previous Boeing 737 MAX Chief Technical Pilot, Mark Forkner
Gustavsson responded to Forkner’s message by saying that he had experienced similar issues during his approach.
Considering Boeing said that MCAS only activates when flaps are retracted, Gustavsson’s response indicates a potential scenario where MCAS activated outside of its operating envelope.
Whether he’s discussing the simulator faults or the MCAS itself will be determined as investigations delve deeper into the 737 MAX situation.
Forkner used his lawyer to tell Reuters “the simulator was not reading right and had to be fixed to fly like the real plane”.
This was in line with Gustavsson’s question as to whether or not he could conduct any work in the simulator or if he would experience the “normal chaos”.
Perhaps the most serious exchange of messages involves Forkner admitting that he “basically lied to the regulators”. In response, Gustavsson said “it wasn’t a lie, no one told us that was the case”.
“Granted I suck at flying, but even this was egregious” said Forkner. He then quickly added that “there are still some real fundamental issues” referring to the simulator.
In September it was unveiled by the Seattle Times that Forkner no longer works at Boeing, however he refused to hand over documents after he cited his Fifth Amendment rights.
The release of these text messages ignites a fresh set of problems for Boeing, who is already facing months of extreme scrutiny over the deaths of 346 people over the two crashes of the young 737 MAX aircraft.
Boeing’s Chief Executive, Dennis Muilenburg, has been ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration to give an “immediate” explanation for the delay in handing over the text message transcript, which was discovered four months ago.
In a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao on Friday, Peter DeFazio, Chair of the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation Committee, said the following:
“These messages indicate that Boeing withheld damning information from the FAA, which is highly disturbing,”
The Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing are already in the same boat, with many in the industry and the flying population expressing their anger and concern about the 737 MAX and its story so far.
Criminal investigations are already ongoing and have been focusing on the development and certification of the 737 MAX. The unveiling of these text messages could also lead to conclusions that involve serious punishment.
Southwest Airlines, the largest 737 MAX operator before the grounding, told Reuters that they had no knowledge of the text messages, however they are continuing to engage with Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration to return the aircraft to service in a safe manner.
Despite this, Southwest pilots have already filed a lawsuit against Boeing which can be read in detail here:
In the mean time, Boeing maintains their efforts to resume 737 MAX operations and deliveries before the end of the fourth quarter; however with more and more details being uncovered, and the vision still bury, airlines are cancelling 737 MAX flights well into 2020.
To see what Boeing is doing to make the 737 MAX a safe aircraft, check out this article:
What are your thoughts on this situation?
Biggest problem is not Boeing management but as author of “Unsafe at any speed” noted is the board of financial “specialists” . Examine names and list – none of them have any relation to Aviation only the Wall Street.All must resign!
Simulators are not aircrafts. They handle similarly but are different. Wind is smooth, but the simulator uses piston to simulate wind and attitude/turns/elevation.
Two different stories sensationalizing and already difficult subject.
But is is worth mentioning, the the vast majority of new pilots CANT handle true challenging emergencies. Too much simulator , few real life scenarios.
Remember Air Asia, or AF447 or Air Inter, or the colossal crash of an Airbus A320 in front of the cameras? Not to mention the highly questionable German Wings over the Alps. ( That story is very disturbing, and not what the Media made people believe)
I worked for a major airline and the things they get away with are more concerning that you could imagine.
Want my advice? Stay away from Arctic Polar flights, Specially those from West Coast to Middle East/Central Europe.
There is no plan A or B given a true catastrophic emergency, unless you want to end up in a Hollywood horror movie.
A-350 was Boeings attempt to meet asinine demands from the global warming idiocy groups.
Boeing doesn’t manufacture the A-350, that’s an Airbus airplane!
Unless the MAX is scrapped and re-designed, I don’t think I can trust Boeing or the FAA to fly the MAX anymore.
So many ignorant people out there with opinions. This Simulator issue, so widely spread, The simulator had not been set up to mimic MCAS flight characteristics at that time. There were no flight data available at the time to build the mathematical algorithm. The two pilots who made these claims were NOT test pilots, but rather administrative pilots. They had no idea what they were talking about, but didn’t let that stop them from besmirching Boeing and the airplane. They have since acknowledged their errors, but of course in todays media frenzy, setting the record straight isn’t favored, and there are MANY naieve people like yourself who are gleefully suckered in. Shame on you Sam Chui for further perpetuating this bogus information.
Friend, it is not who you trust but who the airlines trust.
Besides, you may end up buying a flight that uses an A320 and they can switch to B73Max without notice. If you cancel or refuse, you end up with a hefty surcharge.
The problem is the automation that is creating pilots with no say in the cockpit. If they deviate from the manual the can get fired. Or like this case, the plane does a HAL 9000 on them.
New planes are expensive and airlines and banks want to protect that investment. There you have a Boeing and Airbus offering full flight envelope or automation to solve the investment dilemma.
Do you think an A380 can be flown manually without computers….not. But hey they are not supposed to fail all at the same time since they are redundant…..
Flying is against natural laws, it is a risk that we man has mastered With powerful engines and avionics. But God and nature have the finally word.
We just take our chance , and risk as ridiculously low as it is.