What Are the Boeing 737 MAX 8 Problems?

The Boeing Company is one of the largest airplane manufacturers in the world, but its Boeing 737 MAX 8 variant has been grounded all across the globe since two fatal accidents took place within months of each other.

Passengers who have taken Boeing 737 MAX 8 flights may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation because of the risk posed by Boeing 737 MAX 8 problems.

What is a Boeing 737 MAX 8?

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is the first in Boeings 737 MAX variant series, developed as a replacement for the 737-800. The MAX series is the fourth generation of the classic Boeing 737. The MAX series was announced publicly back in 2013, and the MAX 8 completed its first commercial flight in May 2017.

Despite the initial excitement over the new model, Boeing 737 MAX 8 passenger airliners were grounded in March 2019 in the aftermath of two extremely deadly plane crashes. The crashes occurred within just a few months of each other: Lion Air Flight 610 on Oct. 29, 2018, and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March 10, 2019.

Lion Air Flight 610 crashed just 13 minutes into its flight from Jakarta to Pangkal Pinang, killing all 189 passengers and crew members. Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed just 6 minutes after takeoff on its way from Ethiopia to Kenya, killing all 157 passengers and crew members.

What are the Boeing 737 MAX 8 Problems?

So what are the Boeing 737 MAX 8 problems that led to these crashes, and what risks should people continue to be aware of?

The 737 MAX has been grounded for more than a year now, but its redesign continues to have problems. A new 737 model, intended to quickly move through development, is reportedly skipping hardware upgrades and instead relying on software programming fixes—despite the fact that it was faulty software that sparked the 737 MAX problems that led to hundreds of fatalities in the past.

In order to combat these 737 MAX 8 problems, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a list of required changes before the passenger airliners would be allowed to fly again, including software changes, warning lights, and more.

Boeing has identified at least three different software problems with its 737 MAX series since it was first grounded. Most recently, the Boeing found that a warning light that alerts pilots to trim system (the part that lifts or lowers the plane’s nose) failure stays on for longer than it should, according to Bloomberg.

Two other software glitches had previously been found with the grounded plane. Last June, a flaw in the flight computer “could cause the plan to dive in a way that pilots had difficulty recovering from in simulator tests,” according to the FAA. And in January, Boeing announced it had found a problem with the plane’s flight computer startup process—a serious enough issue that the company and the FAA delayed a major test flight.

How Many Boeing 737 MAX 8 Planes are in Service?

Most operators grounded their Boeing 737 MAX planes in the days following the second crash, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302. Dozens of countries also banned the 737 MAX from flying in their airspace.

The Trump Administration grounded the 737 MAX on March 13, 2019.

As of August 2020, Boeing has not yet returned the MAX to service, though the FAA has announced a final list of changes to design, operation, maintenance, and training that must be completed before the aircraft can return to service. These changes are expected no earlier than mid-October 2020.

Prior to the grounding, more than 300 of these aircraft were in service.

So far, this is the longest grounding of any U.S. airliner. Hundreds of newly-manufactured MAX aircraft are waiting to be delivered to a number of airlines after the aircraft returns to service.

Which Airlines Use Boeing 737 MAX 8?

Dozens of airlines use the Boeing 737 MAX 8, but in the U.S., just Southwest Airlines and American Airlines use this aircraft. Many airlines immediately responded to the second crash by grounding the MAX 8 flights, but both Southwest and American took longer. However, both airlines quickly followed the Trump Administration’s lead in grounding the aircraft on March 13, 2019.

When Should I Seek Legal Help?

A class action lawsuit was filed back in July 2019 over Boeing 737 MAX 8 problems the plaintiffs allege could be a “fatal defect.” The lawsuit claims this defect involves failure-prone sensors that lead to the plane’s nose unnecessarily dropping.

According to the lawsuit, Boeing was aware that its MAX 8 aircraft was unsafe and could cause fatalities, yet brought it to market anyway. The lawsuit was filed not just against Boeing, but also Southwest Airlines, which the lawsuit alleges was also aware that the aircraft was unsafe.

It’s not just Southwest Airlines that has used the MAX 8 on domestic flights. American Airlines has also flown the MAX 8 on several of its routes.

If you took a domestic flight on Southwest Airlines or American Airlines sometime between Oct. 1, 2017 and March 13, 2019, using a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, you may be able to file or join a class action lawsuit and pursue compensation. This investigation is looking specifically for those who were flying for personal travel, not business.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

Join a Free Boeing 737 Max 8 Lawsuit Investigation

If you took a domestic flight on Southwest Airlines or American Airlines between Oct. 1, 2017 and March 13, 2019 and your flight was on a Boeing MAX 8 aircraft, you may be eligible to join the Boeing MAX 8 class action lawsuit investigation.

Only personal travel, not business travel, is relevant to this investigation.

Get a Free Case Evaluation

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.