On December 23, 2022, the Ethiopian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau published its final report on the crash, concluding the probable cause was "Repetitive and uncommanded airplane-nose-down inputs from the MCAS", due to false input from the angle of attack (AoA) sensor.
Two Boeing 737 Max crashes fewer than five months apart led to a worldwide grounding of the aircraft type for nearly two years. Tragically, 346 people died in the two crashes. Investigators concluded that a poorly designed flight control system and a single faulty sensor contributed to each crash.
After a lengthy investigation into the crashes and changes to the design and software, the FAA, EASA and Civil Aviation Authority in the UK deemed Boeing 737 Max jets to be safe to re-enter service.
The 737 max 8 is a very safe aircraft type. Thousands take off and land every day without issue. There are many other aircraft flying at this time that have had worse safety track records than the max. Whilst there has been issues an aircraft type scaring you away would be ludicrous.
Just seconds after take-off, both of the 12-year-old Boeing 787 Dreamliner's fuel-control switches abruptly moved to the "cut-off" position, starving the engines of fuel and triggering total power loss. Switching to "cut-off" is a move typically done only after landing.
Two 737 MAXs have had deadly crashes: Lion Air Flight 610 in late 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in early 2019, in which 346 people died.
The deaths of Barnett and Dean prompted more than 10 new whistleblowers from Boeing and Spirit to come forward with similar allegations.
💡 The 737 MAX 8 is the newer, more fuel-efficient version with advanced engines, redesigned wingtips (split scimitar vs. MAX winglets), and a quieter ride. 🛫 The 737-800 has been a workhorse for years, but the MAX brings updated tech and longer range. Spot the difference next time you fly!
Following modifications to the flight control software and revised pilot training protocols, the aircraft was cleared to return to service. By late 2021, most countries had lifted their grounding orders.
On the Boeing 737 MAX 8, 12A and 12F are the ones to avoid. We also find this problem with easyJet. If you're flying on their Airbus A320, seat 31A is the one to avoid; 31F might also not have a window, depending on the layout. Unfortunately, you can also encounter this problem on long-haul flights.
Narrowbody aircraft, exemplified by the Boeing 737 series, typically have an average service life of 12 to 15 years. However, with diligent maintenance and periodic refurbishments, many 737s continue to operate for 25 years or more. Their relatively lower maintenance costs contribute to their appeal for prolonged use.
Quality control issues: One of Boeing's biggest issues has been quality control. Manufacturing defects in parts and issues with sealants have plagued several of its aircraft programs. The company has faced significant scrutiny from regulators, particularly over the 737 MAX and 787 programs.
According to rankings as of October 2023, which may not reflect crashes since then, American Airlines and Air France are tied for the most airplane crashes globally, with 11. China Airlines and Korean Air both have nine, while Pakistan International Airlines has eight, and United Airlines has seven.
🛫 What Makes the 737 MAX Controversial? The Boeing 737 MAX was grounded globally in 2019 following two accidents linked to a flight control system known as MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System).
The FAA began requiring all MAX pilots to undergo MCAS-related training in flight simulators by 2021.
The 10 most dangerous aircraft ever made
There's no definitive answer—it depends on the pilot's personality, training, and priorities. Some pilots may find Airbus's side-stick and automation more comfortable, while others may prefer the tactile control and familiarity of Boeing's yoke. Both designs represent decades of innovation and safety-first thinking.
In November 2020, the FAA announced that it had cleared the 737 MAX to return to service. Various system, maintenance and training requirements are stipulated, as well as design changes that must be implemented on each aircraft before the FAA issues an airworthiness certificate, without delegation to Boeing.
737-800s and 737 MAX 8 are two different breeds. The -800 is the MAX 8's predecessor and has a much better safety record than its successor.
Worst Seats on the 737-800 & MAX 8
The seats in row 13 do not recline due to the exit row behind them. However, it's not all terrible for passengers in these seats. The window seats in this row offer two windows (albeit misaligned) looking out over the aircraft's wings.
The 737-800 was launched on September 5, 1994. Launch customer Hapag-Lloyd Flug (now TUI fly Deutschland) received the first one in April 1998. Following Boeing's merger with McDonnell Douglas, the 737-800 also filled the gap left by Boeing's decision to discontinue the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 and MD-90 aircraft.
Barnett's death on March 9, 2024, at age 62 was ruled a suicide by the Charleston County Coroner. Police said he was found in his locked vehicle, a bright orange Dodge Ram pickup truck, with the key fob in his pocket and what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
It was found that Boeing had more accidents than expected, while Airbus had fewer (p 0.015). In terms of fatalities, Boeing had more than expected, with Airbus fewer (p < 0.001). Looking at accidents alone, only the number of fatalities was statistically significantly different.
Boeing has agreed to pay at least $50,000 to settle a wrongful death suit brought by the family of John Barnett, a former quality control manager and whistleblower who died by suicide in March 2024 while participating in a deposition. Barnett, 62, had worked for Boeing for 32 years before retiring in 2017.