Over 40 countries that banned the Boeing 737 Max are cautiously waiting for initial results of the probe on two burnt and damaged black boxes retrieved from the Ethiopian Airlines that crashed on Sunday. Officials said the investigation needs a few days to be completed.
A spokesperson for France's BEA agency said it has received evidence on the crashed jet that could be critical to the investigation. CBC News reported that investigators from the agency will look into clues that could answer questions about the fatal crash that took lives.
Industry experts noted that results on the black box probe will be vital to the ongoing investigations. Data from recorded calls of the Ethiopian Airlines' pilot is expected to help expedite the investigative process.
The global aviation industry has been battered by fear following reports that there could be a link between Sunday's crash and the October incident that involved the same Boeing model. Boeing has paused 737 Max jet deliveries until investigations are concluded.
While Boeing maintained that its jetliners are safe, the world's largest planemaker said it respects the regulation on suspending the 737 Max jet in the meantime. "Boeing has determined - out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircraft's safety to recommend to the FAA the temporary suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of 371 737 Max aircraft," the firm said.
Investigating parties said it might take up to weeks and months before the bodies are identified appropriately. The remains are either fragmented, charred, or scattered across the crash site.
Meanwhile, aviation regulators are challenging Boeing to prove that the 737 Max model is safe to fly. According to the Associated Press, suspicions about the potential connection of faulty software to two crashes within five months spurred debates among regulators and industry experts.
Analysts pointed out that the move to send the black boxes to France could be one that sends a message to the United States. The U.S. took more time in suspending Boeing jets compared to over 40 countries that grounded the 737 Max jets shortly after news of the crash emerged.
The 157 people killed by the Ethiopian Airlines crash came from 35 different countries. The Guardian reported that the entire Boeing 737 fleet is expected to remain in suspension for at least a couple of weeks. FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) Congressman, Rick Larsen said the jetliners will not be allowed to fly "at least through April."
