Ed Dartford
Well-Known Member
New Boeing model Two crashes shortly after takeoff. In both cases there was a near vertical dive into ground/water.
There is wide speculation about stab runaway . I was thinking that way until speaking with my 737 pilot son. I was happy to learn that the 737 he flies is not the MAX model. Some airlines have grounded their MAX models.
Evidently the MAX model included more then just bigger engines and stretch the fuselage.
For a start... the engines are moved forward about two feet. Probably for CG reasons. The downside is that if the stick pusher is activated , perhaps in error, while the engines are at high power there will be a strong pitch up effect acting against the stab. Then if the plane eventually stalls recovery will not be easy. Pilot training does not include information about this new characteristic of the MAX model. This is because Boeing did not tell anyone, FAA or airlines, about it. (Bad Boeing).
The Addis Abada airport elevation is 7656 ft. This is within about 1000 ft of the plane's takeoff capability. The 7656 ft does not include temperature effect. Addis Abada is 9 degrees North of the equator. It is not as hot as other parts of equatorial Africa, but 80 degrees F would not be unusual. This is the hottest time of the year. Loss of an engine would be a problem.
I can't remember all the other possible causes that Matt mentioned. Bottom line is that we don't know, and should wait for more information.
There is wide speculation about stab runaway . I was thinking that way until speaking with my 737 pilot son. I was happy to learn that the 737 he flies is not the MAX model. Some airlines have grounded their MAX models.
Evidently the MAX model included more then just bigger engines and stretch the fuselage.
For a start... the engines are moved forward about two feet. Probably for CG reasons. The downside is that if the stick pusher is activated , perhaps in error, while the engines are at high power there will be a strong pitch up effect acting against the stab. Then if the plane eventually stalls recovery will not be easy. Pilot training does not include information about this new characteristic of the MAX model. This is because Boeing did not tell anyone, FAA or airlines, about it. (Bad Boeing).
The Addis Abada airport elevation is 7656 ft. This is within about 1000 ft of the plane's takeoff capability. The 7656 ft does not include temperature effect. Addis Abada is 9 degrees North of the equator. It is not as hot as other parts of equatorial Africa, but 80 degrees F would not be unusual. This is the hottest time of the year. Loss of an engine would be a problem.
I can't remember all the other possible causes that Matt mentioned. Bottom line is that we don't know, and should wait for more information.