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. When airlines demanded more efficient and longer-range planes, Boeing did not design a whole new airplane with modern technology and safety features. To save money and time, 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. Boeing didn’t mention the system to pilots. 

It was the only modern jet without an electronic alert system that explains what is malfunctioning and how to resolve it. Instead pilots 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 company over $19 billion.

In January 2024 a hole blew out in a 737 Max shortly 20 minutes after take-off. Luckily no one was sitting near the hole and got sucked out of the fuselage.

Additional info:

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

bbc.com - all the recent news about the 737 Max

TheVerge - The perils of fixing a hardware problem with software