Enhancing Aviation Safety: Lessons from a Recent Incident
As an aviation safety manager, staying informed about emerging trends and learning from past incidents is critical to fostering a robust safety culture. The tragic crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a Boeing 737 Max, which occurred on March 10, 2019, provides a detailed case study with significant implications for the industry. This blog will explore the key takeaways from the incident, the impact on organizational practices, and the broader role such analyses play in enhancing aviation safety. Key Takeaways from the Incident The crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 was attributed to a malfunction in the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), which led to a series of events culminating in the loss of all passengers and crew. Investigators identified several contributing factors, including: Lack of Redundancy in Critical Systems: The MCAS relied on a single angle-of-attack sensor, which failed, providing erroneous data (NTSB, 2022). Inadequate Pilot Trainin...