Amid evidence that a software flaw brought down two Boeing 737 MAX 8s, other pilots are reporting that they too encountered the deadly defect, but managed to battle the plane’s computer in order to stay aloft. Subsequent reports have revealed that a potentially fatal “nose down” scenario also struck a pair of other Lion Air flights as well as at least two passenger flights in the United States. The suspected problem with the 737 MAX 8 is a feature known as the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). The MAX 8 has slightly heavier engines than prior 737 variants, causing the plane to pitch upwards upon takeoff. The flight recorder from Lion Air Flight 610 reveals a chaotic scene of the crew desperately thumbing through flight manuals to diagnose their plunging airplane.

Source: National Post March 21, 2019 10:52 UTC