The Multiple Problems, and Potential Fixes, With the Boeing 737 MAX

Two fatal crashes of

Boeing
Co.

BA 1.01%

’s 737 MAX exposed problems with the aircraft’s flight-control system, spurring aviation regulators to push for additional changes before the grounded plane can again fly with passengers.

Here’s a look at the problems and how Boeing plans to fix them.

The Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS): This stall-prevention system can mistakenly push the nose of the plane down repeatedly when fed erroneous data.

MCAS was designed to help pilots avoid a stall when the nose of the plane rises too quickly in certain conditions. But the system can misfire when operating off inaccurate sensor information, triggering erroneous automatic flight-control commands.

When the stall-prevention feature repeatedly pushes the nose of the plane down, pilots can struggle to counteract the commands and pull the nose of the plane up.

The system reacts with a less forceful nose-down command, and does it only once per activation, making it easier for pilots to control the plane. It also will rely on two sensors, rather than one, to verify data accuracy.

The Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS): This stall-prevention system can mistakenly push the nose of the plane down repeatedly when fed erroneous data.

MCAS was designed to help pilots avoid a stall when the nose of the plane rises too quickly in certain conditions. But the system can misfire when operating off inaccurate sensor information, triggering erroneous automatic flight-control commands.

When the stall-prevention feature repeatedly pushes the nose of the plane down, pilots can struggle to counteract the commands and pull the nose of the plane up.

The system reacts with a less forceful nose-down command, and does it only once per activation, making it easier for pilots to control the plane. It also will rely on two sensors, rather than one, to verify data accuracy.

The Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS): This stall-prevention system can mistakenly push the nose of the plane down repeatedly when fed erroneous data.

MCAS was designed to help pilots avoid a stall when the nose of the plane rises too quickly in certain conditions. But the system can misfire when operating off inaccurate sensor information, triggering erroneous automatic flight-control commands.

When the stall-prevention feature repeatedly pushes the nose of the plane down, pilots can struggle to counteract the commands and pull the nose of the plane up.

The system reacts with a less forceful nose-down command, and does it only once per activation, making it easier for pilots to control the plane. It also will rely on two sensors, rather than one, to verify data accuracy.

The Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS): This stall-prevention system can mistakenly push the nose of the plane down repeatedly when fed erroneous data.

MCAS was designed to help pilots avoid a stall when the nose of the plane rises too quickly in certain conditions. But the system can misfire when operating off inaccurate sensor information, triggering erroneous automatic flight-control commands.

When the stall-prevention feature repeatedly pushes the nose of the plane down, pilots can struggle to counteract the commands and pull the nose of the plane up.

The system reacts with a less forceful nose-down command, and does it only once per activation, making it easier for pilots to control the plane. It also will rely on two sensors, rather than one, to verify data accuracy.

Angle-of-attack disagreement: Not working was an alert system to warn pilots when the two angle-of-attack sensors show conflicting information, making it more difficult for pilots to diagnose flight-control problems.

Two vanes effectively measure to what degree the plane’s nose is angled up or down.

Because of a software error, there was no alert when the two sensors disagreed—unless airlines had paid extra to have a related option package installed.

Along with the redesigned software, pilots should be warned when angle-of-attack vanes provide conflicting information.

Angle-of-attack

indicator

Angle-of-attack disagreement: Not working was an alert system to warn pilots when the two angle-of-attack sensors show conflicting information, making it more difficult for pilots to diagnose flight-control problems.

Two vanes effectively measure to what degree the plane’s nose is angled up or down.

Because of a software error, there was no alert when the two sensors disagreed—unless airlines had paid extra to have a related option package installed.

Along with the redesigned software, pilots should be warned when angle-of-attack vanes provide conflicting information.

Angle-of-attack indicator

Angle-of-attack disagreement: Not working was an alert system to warn pilots when the two angle-of-attack sensors show conflicting information, making it more difficult for pilots to diagnose flight-control problems.

Two vanes effectively measure to what degree the plane’s nose is angled up or down.

Because of a software error, there was no alert when the two sensors disagreed—unless airlines had paid extra to have a related option package installed.

Along with the redesigned software, pilots should be warned when angle-of-attack vanes provide conflicting information.

Angle-of-attack indicator

Angle-of-attack disagreement: Not working was an alert system to warn pilots when the two angle-of-attack sensors show conflicting information, making it more difficult for pilots to diagnose flight-control problems.

Two vanes effectively measure to what degree the plane’s nose is angled up or down.

Because of a software error, there was no alert when the two sensors disagreed—unless airlines had paid extra to have a related option package installed.

Along with the redesigned software pilots should be warned when angle-of-attack vanes provide conflicting information.

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Angle-of-attack

indicator

Runaway stabilizer: A processor failure could lead to the flight-control computer commanding unintended horizontal stabilizer movement.

The horizontal stabilizer controls up and down movement known as pitch.

The computer problem could hobble the ability of pilots to respond quickly to the emergency.

Boeing intends to correct the problem with a software fix. If new hardware is required, it could delay the MAX’s return for additional weeks or months.

Runaway stabilizer: A processor failure could lead to the flight-control computer commanding unintended horizontal stabilizer movement.

The horizontal stabilizer controls up and down movement known as pitch.

The computer problem could hobble the ability of pilots to respond quickly to the emergency.

Boeing intends to correct the problem with a software fix. If new hardware is required, it could delay the MAX’s return for additional weeks or months.

Runaway stabilizer: A processor failure could lead to the flight-control computer commanding unintended horizontal stabilizer movement.

The horizontal stabilizer controls up and down movement known as pitch.

The computer problem could hobble the ability of pilots to respond quickly to the emergency.

Boeing intends to correct the problem with a software fix. If new hardware is required, it could delay the MAX’s return for additional weeks or months.

Runaway stabilizer: A processor failure could lead to the flight-control computer commanding unintended horizontal stabilizer movement.

The horizontal stabilizer controls up and down movement known as pitch.

The computer problem could hobble the ability of pilots to respond quickly to the emergency.

Boeing intends to correct the problem with a software fix. If new hardware is required, it could delay the MAX’s return for additional weeks or months.

Trim wheel: At high speed, some pilots may lack the strength to manually counteract dangerous movements of the horizontal stabilizer.

When problems with the stall-prevention system arise, pilots are instructed to turn it off using switches found in the cockpit and turning the trim wheel to move the plane’s horizontal stabilizer.

But regulators are concerned some pilots may lack the strength to manually move the stabilizer at high speed.

The trim wheel

controls the…

Regulators are considering changes to an emergency procedure to ensure pilots react quickly and appropriately to avoid extreme situations requiring excessive manual strength.

Trim wheel: At high speed, some pilots may lack the strength to manually counteract dangerous movements of the horizontal stabilizer.

When problems with the stall-prevention system arise, pilots are instructed to turn it off using switches found in the cockpit and turning the trim wheel to move the plane’s horizontal stabilizer.

But regulators are concerned some pilots may lack the strength to manually move the stabilizer at high speed.

The trim wheel

controls the…

Regulators are considering changes to an emergency procedure to ensure pilots react quickly and appropriately to avoid extreme situations requiring excessive manual strength.

Trim wheel: At high speed, some pilots may lack the strength to manually counteract dangerous movements of the horizontal stabilizer.

When problems with the stall-prevention system arise, pilots are instructed to turn it off using switches found in the cockpit and turning the trim wheel to move the plane’s horizontal stabilizer.

But regulators are concerned some pilots may lack the strength to manually move the stabilizer at high speed.

The trim wheel

controls the…

Regulators are considering changes to an emergency procedure to ensure pilots react quickly and appropriately to avoid extreme situations requiring excessive manual strength.

Trim wheel: At high speed, some pilots may lack the strength to manually counteract dangerous movements of the horizontal stabilizer.

When problems with the stall-prevention system arise, pilots are instructed to turn it off using switches found in the cockpit and turning the trim wheel to move the plane’s horizontal stabilizer.

But regulators are concerned some pilots may lack the strength to manually move the stabilizer at high speed.

The trim wheel

controls the…

Regulators are considering changes to an emergency procedure to ensure pilots react quickly and appropriately to avoid extreme situations requiring excessive manual strength.

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