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Boeing set for critical 737 Max flight tests Boeing: Critical 737 Max test flights begin
(1 day later)
Boeing's bid to see its 737 Max return to the skies faces a pivotal week with flight safety tests expected to begin. The US aviation regulator has started formal test flights for Boeing's troubled 737 Max.
Pilots and technical experts from regulators and the company are understood to be planning three days of tests, possibly starting on Monday. The test flights, which will run through a series of potential emergency scenarios, are expected to take place over several days.
Boeing's best-selling aircraft was grounded last year after two crashes killed all 346 people on the flights.Boeing's best-selling aircraft was grounded last year after two crashes killed all 346 people on the flights.
The tests are a milestone for Boeing, but even if they go well, months of further safety checks will be needed.The tests are a milestone for Boeing, but even if they go well, months of further safety checks will be needed.
Aviation regulators grounded the 737 Max about 15 months ago following two crashes - a Lion Air flight and an Ethiopian Airlines flight - within five months of each other.Aviation regulators grounded the 737 Max about 15 months ago following two crashes - a Lion Air flight and an Ethiopian Airlines flight - within five months of each other.
The ruling triggered a financial crisis at the 103-year-old company, sparked lawsuits from victims' families, and raised questions about how Boeing and the US regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), conducted their safety approval process.The ruling triggered a financial crisis at the 103-year-old company, sparked lawsuits from victims' families, and raised questions about how Boeing and the US regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), conducted their safety approval process.
Investigators blamed faults in the flight control system, which Boeing has been overhauling for months in order to meet new safety demands.Investigators blamed faults in the flight control system, which Boeing has been overhauling for months in order to meet new safety demands.
A 737 Max loaded with test equipment will run through a series of mid-air scenarios near Boeing's manufacturing base at Seattle. Carried out by FAA pilots, the tests will evaluate key systems, including a revised version of the flight control software which was implicated in the two accidents.
According to Reuters, which first reported the news, pilots will intentionally trigger the reprogrammed stall-prevention software known as MCAS, blamed for both crashes. The original system is believed to have overridden the pilots' commands and forced both aircraft into catastrophic dives.
The BBC understands that both the FAA, which is leading the testing, and Boeing, are hopeful that the process will get under way on Monday, barring last minutes hitches. The FAA told BBC News that the first certification flight took off from Seattle on Monday. The flight is expected to take several hours.
The FAA confirmed on Sunday in an email to the US Congress that it had approved key certification test flights for the grounded 737 Max.
The email noted that the "FAA has not made a decision on return to service" and has a number of additional steps to go, according to Reuters reports.
Test flights had been planned for last year, but investigations uncovered an array of new safety issues that have delayed a return to service.Test flights had been planned for last year, but investigations uncovered an array of new safety issues that have delayed a return to service.
It could take weeks to analyse data from the test flights. But even if this process is successful, further flying, training of pilots, and clearance from European and Canadian regulators will be needed.It could take weeks to analyse data from the test flights. But even if this process is successful, further flying, training of pilots, and clearance from European and Canadian regulators will be needed.
The European Aviation Safety Agency has maintained that clearance by the FAA will not automatically mean a clearance to fly in Europe.The European Aviation Safety Agency has maintained that clearance by the FAA will not automatically mean a clearance to fly in Europe.
Norwegian Air, TUI, and Icelandair are among airlines using the 737 Max in Europe, while other carriers have the aircraft on order.Norwegian Air, TUI, and Icelandair are among airlines using the 737 Max in Europe, while other carriers have the aircraft on order.
Boeing and the FAA declined to comment. Boeing declined to comment.