Boeing's Fatal Flaw

Dylan Sanders

BUS 4360

The documentary "Boeing's Fatal Flaw" highlights the problems that arise when corporate interests value money over public safety. "Boeing's Fatal Flaw" investigates the crashes of two Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and the company's response to the tragedies. The 737 MAX tragedies are an unfortunate example of what can happen when a company prioritizes profit and market share over the safety of its customers. Boeing's decision to push it into production without proper testing and oversight was driven by a desire to compete with its main rival, Airbus. By rushing the certification process, Boeing was able to bring the 737 MAX to market more quickly, which allowed the company to maintain its dominant position in the aviation

The documentary provides a case study of how a corporate culture focusing on profit and market share can lead to harsh consequences and serves as a reminder that the safety of passengers and crew must always be the top priority. The documentary examines how the 737 MAX was designed to be more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, the 737 NG. To achieve this, Boeing installed larger engines on the aircraft, which were placed higher and further forward on the wing. This change altered the aircraft's aerodynamics, causing the plane to pitch up during flight. To counter this effect, Boeing created a new software system, called the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), which would automatically push the nose down to prevent the aircraft from stalling. In this instance, the MCAS system failed to act. The documentary argues that Boeing failed to disclose the existence of the MCAS system to the pilots and regulators. The system was not included in the aircraft's manual, and pilots were not given any training on how to respond to a malfunctioning MCAS. The documentary highlights how the pilots of both Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 struggled to regain control of their aircraft after the MCAS system malfunctioned, leading to the crashes. The documentary also examines Boeing's response to the tragedies. The documentary explores the role of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in approving the 737 MAX. The FAA delegated much of the certification process to Boeing, which allowed the company to cut corners and bypass important safety checks. The documentary argues that the FAA's lax oversight contributed to the design flaws in the 737 MAX which resulted in