Boeing 737 MAX Return to Service Report
The tragic losses of Lionair JT-610 and Ethiopian Airlines ET-302, which triggered the grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX fleet by the global aviation authorities, created an unprecedented situation in modern civil aviation history. The design of a new flight control function (i.e. the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, MCAS) certified as part of the 737 MAX original approval was identified as a critical contributor to these events by the aircraft accident investigation bodies. EASA defined a Return to Service (RTS) strategy designed to ensure the safety of the aircraft design. The associated technical activities encompassed two aspects: (i) a fully independent review of all certification activities associated with the design changes required to address the direct causes of the accidents and (ii) an extended independent design review of the 737 MAX flight control system and associated functions. This work was enabled by the understanding gained of the causes and circumstances leading to the two accidents: the progress made in this area and the ensuing EASA technical investigation paved the way for the precise definition of the conditions necessary to bring the model back into service safely. Indeed, EASA was fully engaged in the process that yielded the acceptable technical modifications of the 737 MAX and the operational and training updates that came with it. Furthermore, the extended design review by EASA provided additional confidence and, in some cases, generated additional operational limitations for the safe return to service of the 737 MAX. EASA has additionally defined and agreed on a set of post-RTS actions that Boeing has to complete for specific technical issues not representing an unsafe condition, i.e. not impacting the immediate safety of passengers. The operation of the 737 MAX is indeed already considered safe with the approved changes and actions mandated in the EASA Airworthiness Directive 2021-0039. The post-RTS actions should be seen as enhancements to contribute to the long-term safe operation of the 737 MAX and to support subsequent design developments of the aircraft family.
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