> the system was only recoverable if you had some extremely specific knowledge I don't think this is a fair characterization. The runaway trim condition is no

> the system was only recoverable if you had some extremely specific knowledge I don't think this is a fair characterization. The runaway trim condition is not arcane knowledge. It's a standard part of pilot training and easily something the vast majority of pilots are well prepared to handle. The issue with MCAS was that, while it was ultimately a runaway trim issue, it didn't look like it from the pilot's seat. The MCAS trim inputs were intermittent and came with no indication that the MCAS system was providing them. You also had throttle inputs and a whole slew of cabin warnings. The fact that the AoA disagree indicator was not standard shows just how little consideration was made to communicate to pilots. Even with improved pilot training, I think a major crash was inevitable due to the nature of how the malfunction presents itself. More training doesn't make up for the obscure operation of MCAS or the fact that this failure occurs with very little time to react. I'm in strong agreement that blaming the pilots is unconscionable. The pilots' action disabling the trim with the cutout switch, and then re-enabling it in a desperate bid to regain control of a badly-out-of-trim and overspeed aircraft speaks volumes. They were quickly put into a nearly-impossible situation and behaved reasonably, if ultimately incorrectly.