Mayday Season 16 Episode 4 Grounded: Boeing Max 8

On March 10, 2019, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 took off from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia en route to Nairobi, Kenya. Onboard were 149 passengers and 8 crew members. Just minutes after takeoff, the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft experienced an uncontrolled nose dive and crashed into the ground, killing everyone on board.

This tragedy was the second fatal crash involving a Boeing 737 Max 8 in just five months, following the Lion Air Flight 610 crash in Indonesia in October 2018. As investigators began to piece together what happened, it became clear that both crashes were caused by a flaw in the aircraft's design.

Mayday Season 16 Episode 4, titled "Grounded: Boeing Max 8", examines the events leading up to the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash and the subsequent investigation into the safety of the Boeing 737 Max 8.

Through interviews with experts, aviation authorities, and family members of the victims, the episode delves into the systemic failures that allowed the flawed aircraft to be certified for commercial use in the first place. It also explores the intense pressure that Boeing faced to compete with rival Airbus and deliver a new aircraft design that would appeal to airlines.

As the investigation unfolds, it becomes evident that Boeing had prioritized profit over safety, withholding crucial information from pilots and regulators about the new automated anti-stall feature that was ultimately responsible for both crashes. The episode details how a combination of factors, including a malfunctioning sensor, a lack of detailed training for pilots, and incomplete information from the aviation industry, ultimately led to the tragic loss of so many lives.

The episode does not shy away from the emotional toll of the two crashes, featuring interviews with family members who lost loved ones on both Flight 302 and Flight 610. These personal accounts bring a human dimension to the larger issues at play, highlighting the devastating impact of corporate negligence.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, regulators around the world grounded the Boeing 737 Max 8, and Boeing faced intense scrutiny from the media and the public. The episode covers the company's response to the crisis, including CEO Dennis Muilenburg's appearances before Congress and the steps that the company has taken to address the design flaws.

Overall, "Grounded: Boeing Max 8" is a sobering look at the flawed systems and corporate greed that led to two devastating crashes. However, the episode also highlights the tireless work of investigators and the families of the victims who have fought for justice and for reforms to prevent similar tragedies in the future.