Could Pilots Have Prevented the 737 MAX Catastrophes if They Knew About MCAS?
The catastrophic crashes of the 737 MAX aircraft have raised critical questions about safety and responsibility. An often-overlooked factor is the knowledge and training of the pilots regarding the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). Could the crashes have been prevented if the pilots knew about MCAS and had the necessary training? This article delves into the role of pilot awareness and training in preventing such tragedies.
Reckless Authority: The FAA and the 737 MAX Saga
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) played a significant role in the contentious debate over the 737 MAX aircraft. In stark contrast to 55 aviation authorities worldwide, the FAA maintained that the 737 MAX was a safe design. However, this decision has been increasingly criticized as a clear example of vested interest and regulatory failure.
Vested Interest at Play
So deeply entrenched was the FAA’s stance that it seems almost impossible for the agency to regain the trust and reputation it once held. This situation is a prime example of vested interest, where the FAA’s decisions were not made in the best interest of public safety but rather under the influence of corporate interests.
One might ask, did the FAA need to know the intricacies of MCAS? They had a clear and straightforward emergency procedure for a Runaway Stabilizer. The process involved switching off the stabilizer switches, manually cranking the trim wheels, and over powering the system.
A Simple yet Complicated Solution
Though the procedure for addressing a runaway stabilizer is straightforward, it requires the pilot to take immediate and decisive action. Unlike MCAS, which is not mentioned in the pilot's manuals, the runaway stabilizer procedure is well-documented. Pilots are taught that when faced with such an emergency, they should shut down the faulty system, hand crank the trim manually, and allow maintenance to investigate further. In an emergency scenario, such as a V1 cut, the primary concern is safely bringing the aircraft to the runway, not diagnosing every possible cause of the failure.
The Failures of Pilot Technique and MCAS Awareness
While MCAS may have been the initial trigger in these accidents, other pilot procedures and technique failures are also to blame. For instance, in one of the crashes, the MCAS system alone moved the trim 26 times, while the pilot responded 25 times. This back-and-forth indicates a potential failure in recognizing that something was amiss with the trim system.
Another critical issue is the reliance on checklists. Modern pilots are often trained to a checklist, assuming that if it is not checked, something is automatically off or cannot be found. This over-reliance on checklists can lead to a lack of situational awareness and a failure to recognize and address emergent issues.
Proper Training on MCAS
Enhanced training on the MCAS system could have potentially prevented these accidents. Providing pilots with a thorough understanding of MCAS, including its functions and potential malfunctions, would have allowed them to identify and address the system's unusual behavior more effectively. Pilots trained on this system would have been better equipped to respond to unexpected situations and prevent accidents.
Conclusion
The 737 MAX tragedies serve as a stark reminder of the critical role that pilot knowledge, training, and awareness play in ensuring aviation safety. While the FAA's regulatory approach and corporate influence may have played a role, the fundamental issue lies in the lack of comprehensive MCAS training for pilots. Ensuring that pilots are well-informed about modern aircraft systems is essential for preventing similar disasters in the future.
Investing in pilot training and system education is not merely a matter of compliance; it is a critical step toward enhancing aviation safety and mitigating potential risks. Airlines, regulatory bodies, and aircraft manufacturers must work together to ensure that pilots are prepared for the challenges they may face during flight operations.