Two models of Boeing’s latest twin 737 MAX 8 jet have crashed in the last six months: An Ethiopian Airlines flight headed for Nairobi on March 8, and October’s Lion Air flight that crashed off Jakarta. Both flights went down shortly after takeoff, killing all onboard.
Clearly, two crashes of the same brand-new aircraft in such a short time period are raising questions about the causes and consequences. Thousands of commercial Boeing 737 MAX 8s had been ordered before the crashes, but since the second incident, at least one airline and one country grounded their delivered models of the 737 MAX 8.
What to Know About the 737 MAX 8 Plane Crashes
Lion Air: The October Lion Air crash has been tentatively blamed on a malfunction of a sensor in the plane’s new control system. The final report is not yet complete, but Boeing did notify all 737 MAX 8 operators about how to avoid a mechanical problem that they believe caused the Lion Air flight to crash.
Ethiopian Airlines: At this writing, there is no evidence whatsoever about the cause of the latest Ethiopian flight. The data recorders have reportedly been located, but authorities will probably need some time to analyze the data if it’s at all useful in determining a cause.
Other Airlines Flying the 737 MAX: The U.S.-based airlines operating Boeing 737 MAX 8s are American Airlines, which has 24, and Southwest, which operates 34. United operates 14 of the MAX 9, which would probably be affected if any issues were officially found with the MAX 8. Canadian airlines operating the model are Air Canada (41), Sunwing (four), and WestJet (13). European airlines that fly the 737 MAX models are Icelandair (three) and Norwegian (18).
The Response: Out of an abundance of caution, some 737 MAX 8 aircraft have been grounded pending a resolution of the causes. Cayman Airways has announced it suspended use of the model. China—the country with the largest fleet of 737 MAX 8s—has also grounded its models. Cooler heads are saying that there isn’t enough information yet to deem grounding necessary.
The Safety: Almost all mechanically-based plane crashes are one-off events, and they’re treated as such. The safety system that follows is typically that the basic problem is identified and then modifications, rules, or regulations are implemented to prevent a second occurrence. In this latest instance, Boeing had previously notified airlines about the possible problem with the Lion Air crash and seemed to have issued the appropriate corrective directions.
The big question for individual travelers is whether to book away from 737 MAX 8 flights, either for safety fears or concerns about possible grounding or delays. Nobody has a definitive answer yet: It’s up to you to weigh what you know, what the airline tells you, and then decide. But there’s likely still more information to come.
More from SmarterTravel:
- Airline Crash Deaths Just Hit a 5-Year High
- This Is the Safest Part of the Plane
- How to Survive a Plane Crash
Consumer advocate Ed Perkins has been writing about travel for more than three decades. The founding editor of the Consumer Reports Travel Letter, he continues to inform travelers and fight consumer abuse every day at SmarterTravel.
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