[Peetwo]

Boeing MAX imbroglio update:- 

Via the Oz:

May 30, 2019
Aviation

Aussie law firm targets Boeing



By  Robyn Ironside 

An Australian law firm has been engaged by an airline pilot to sue Boeing and the US Federal Aviation Administration over their production and certification of the now-grounded 737 Max 8.

International Aerospace Law and Policy Group principal Jos­eph Wheeler said “Pilot X” came to them as a Max-certified pilot and others were expected to join what would be a class action.

He said Pilot X had been significantly impacted by the strong feeling that “it could have been me” following two fatal crashes involving near-new Boeing 737 Max 8s in five months.

A total of 346 people lost their lives in the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes, which were both attributed to a feature of the 737 Max known as the manoeuvring characteristics augmentation system (MCAS).

Pilots were unaware the system had been installed by Boeing to compensate for a shift in the aircraft’s centre of lift because of the placement of heavier, larger ­engines.

“Pilot X, whose identity shall remain private, is disgusted and bewildered as to how a critical safety system like MCAS, with its shortcomings, could be certified and deployed, but its presence withheld from the knowledge of pilots until so many deaths triggered disclosure,” Mr Wheeler said. “Our team is preparing an action for damages in US state courts, and relevant notices of claim against the FAA for dam­ages, including punitive damages, on behalf of pilots led by Pilot X.

“The more who join the action, the more likely it will lead to a positive change for all pilots.”

IALPG would work with the US-based firm PMJ to seek compensation from Boeing and the FAA on the pilot’s behalf, and other affected Max-certified ­pilots, Mr Wheeler said.

PMJ managing partner Patrick Jones said the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes had left a lot of pilots wondering “what else did they not tell us about?”

“For pilots like Pilot X, the fear of ending up in a situation like Flight ET302 is now far too real and has caused serious distress,” Mr Jones said.

“These types of concerns could affect retirement decisions and the ability to take up options to move up on fleets with carriers who insist on retaining the Max.”

Mr Wheeler said the matter would be pursued on behalf of the pilots on a no-win, no-fee basis.

“In our view, it is only the voice of pilots that will ensure changes to the broken system that permitted (crash flights) JT610 and ET302 to happen,” he said. “After all, pilots are the ones entrusted to keep passengers safe.”

Boeing is already facing more than 30 lawsuits over the two 737 Max 8 crashes, mostly brought by relatives of the people killed.

Boeing chairman Dennis Muilenburg has previously apologised for the lives lost, and acknowledged that in both cases MCAS had activated.

And: 

May 29, 2019
Aviation
Timing key for 737 MAX return



A synchronised global return of Boeing’s 737 MAX will help boost confidence in the troubled aircraft, airlines say.

By Robyn Ironside 

Airlines have called for the reintroduction of the Boeing 737 MAX to occur at the same time worldwide to help restore public confidence in the aircraft.

Speaking ahead of the International Air Transport Association annual general meeting in Seoul this weekend, director-general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said it would be unhelpful for the current global grounding to go on for too long.

“We are urging the regulators to have the most comprehensive, consistent and collaborative approach, to have the same timeline if possible. Otherwise it will create disruptions,” Mr de Juniac said.

He said it was important the 737 MAX was not returned to service too quickly. But nor should the grounding go on for too long.

“The compromise is to find the appropriate time frame, not be too short to threaten safety and not be too long,” said Mr de Juniac.

“Ten to 12 weeks would be the minimum delay [for a return to service] but we cannot speak authoritatively on the appropriate delay. It is in the hands of the various regulators and agencies to ensure the delay is the right one.”

More than 370 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 9 aircraft have been grounded worldwide since late March, following the second fatal crash in five months.

Boeing is expected to deliver its software fix and upgraded training package for the aircraft to the US’ Federal Aviation Administration for approval within weeks or even days.

US carriers, like American Airlines, have indicated they expect the 737 MAX to be back in service from mid to late-August.

No Australian airlines operate the aircraft as yet. Virgin Australia has deferred delivery of its first 737 MAX 8 until 2025, with a 737 MAX 10 to arrive in 2021.

Mr de Juniac flagged the grounding of the 737 MAX, as one of range of issues that had made 2019 the most challenging for the airline industry since the global financial crisis.

“Rising costs, trade wars and other uncertainties are likely to have an impact on the bottom line,” he said.

“The prolonged grounding of the 737 MAX is taking its toll and aviation like all industries is under intensified scrutiny for its impact on climate change.”

New data released by IATA showed the amount of freight carried by airlines continued to fall in April but the number of passengers grew 4.3 per cent in the month compared to the same time last year.

Mr de Juniac described the passenger growth as “solid but not exceptional”.

“This partly is owing to the timing of Easter but also reflects the slowing global economy,” he said.

“Global trade is falling and as a result we are not seeing traffic growing at the same levels as a year ago.”

MTF...P2