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The 737 series, including the MAX, has mechanical linkages to the control surfaces. Boeing’s recommendation for dealing with a runaway MCAS scenario, in fact,
by msbarnett 7y ago
The 737 series, including the MAX, has mechanical linkages to the control surfaces.
Boeing’s recommendation for dealing with a runaway MCAS scenario, in fact, was to cut power to the stabilizer trim motors at just the right moment in a short window of opportunity between cycles of it running, and then have the pilot manually crank the trim by hand turning a wheel that pulls a cable.
With excessive speed, or too much counter-force being put on the stabilizer by pulling back on the stick (because the pilots didn’t cut the electricity fast enough inside the cycle window, leading to the stabilizers forcing the nose down and the pilots needing to counter that to keep above the ground), the wheel can require an enormous, potentially insurmountable amount of force to operate.
- FabHK 7y agoYes. Truly terrible. And, possibly the pilots could turn the wheel if both collaborated on it - but then, who pulls back the control column to keep the elevator up? Terrible terrible situation.
- bronson 7y agoAnd how long can you hold it at max effort? Should MAX-8 training include a physical fitness component?
- ricardobeat 7y agoThere was a video circling around of pilots flying the MAX in a simulator, and reproducing the failure conditions; they were unable to physically hold the trim wheel to counteract the system.
- magduf 7y agoIt absolutely should, so that only strong men can possibly pass. Then, since this is absolutely sexist and prevents female (or less-strong men) from flying the plane, either the plane should be non-certified, or Boeing should have to pay full lifetime salaries for any not-strong-enough pilots who want to file a claim that they can't fly this plane.