Boeing's 737 Max jets have yet to receive its second certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) but the process could be hampered yet again as some analysts suggested that the two accidents in October and March could have stemmed from a series of human errors.
In a detailed report on the Boeing 737 Max fiasco, The Verge revealed that there could have been numerous, albeit small, human errors during the now infamous airliner's design and operation processes.
According to the outlet, Boeing needed an answer to its archrival, Airbus' technologically-advanced jets. However, engineers working on the 737 Max had to overcome hurdles in revamping the original 737 jets since it was a model over four decades old.
During its development, Boeing said the 737 Max would be more fuel-efficient than Airbus' popular A320neo. Fuel efficiency was the reason why many airlines ordered the Max and A320 models. On the other hand, analysts said six years of development may have been too fast to deliver the jet that would challenge Airbus.
"The 737 was conceived in the 1960s as what today we would call a regional jet, and with every variant, they've pushed and pushed the thing to the end of its envelope," blogger and airline pilot, Patrick Smith, pointed out.
Aside from pushing development to the limits, analysts suggested that Boeing 737 Max designers also rushed delivering the jet's blueprints. The outlet said it spoke with pilots, engineers, and experts, revealing that at some point incomplete or faulty schematics were delivered to the manufacturing plant.
Finally, for the first time in over two decades, pilots reportedly felt that they were not adequately prepped to fly the Boeing 737 Max jet. Captain Laura Einsetler said she didn't get enough instructions, tools, or mentoring to fly the new 737 models.
Amid Boeing's woes with its previously famous 737 Max jet, the U.S. House Aviation Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee announced on Thursday that it will hold the first hearing on the grounded planes on May 15.
According to the Associated Press, the subcommittee is expected to call in a number of witnesses to provide details on how the Boeing 737 Max jet was certified to fly in the first place by the FAA.
Following the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes in October and March respectively, multiple international airlines grounded the Boeing jet. It has yet to be announced when the planes will be certified to fly again.
Despite the planes being grounded, International Flight Network reported that Garuda Indonesia is reportedly planning to order Boeing 737 Max and 737 Dreamliner planes. No official announcements have been made by the company to date.
