SEATTLE/PARIS/ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Boeing anti-stall software repeatedly forced down the nose of a doomed Ethiopian jet after pilots had turned it off, sources told Reuters, as investigators scrutinize the role played by technology and crew in the fatal March 10 crash.

A preliminary Ethiopian report into the disaster is due to be published within days and may include evidence the software system kicked in as many as four times before the 737 MAX dived into the ground, two people with knowledge of the matter said.

The software known as MCAS is at the center of accident probes in both the crash of Ethiopian flight 302 and a Lion Air accident in Indonesia five months earlier that together killed 346 people.

It was not immediately clear whether the Ethiopian crew chose to re-deploy the system, which pushes the Boeing 737 MAX downwards to avoid stalling. But one of the sources said investigators were studying the possibility that the software started working again without human intervention. A Boeing spokeswoman declined to comment. Ethiopian investigators were not available for comment.

The Ethiopian crash led to a global grounding of 737 MAX jets and scrutiny of its certification process. Initial results of the accident investigation are due within days.

The stakes are high. The 737 MAX is Boeing’s top-selling jet with almost 5,000 on order. Ethiopian Airlines is also in the midst of an expansion drive, while other 737 MAX customers and victims’ families want answers, and potentially compensation.

Getting the planes flying again depends partly on the role that Boeing design features are found to have played in the crash, though investigators are also paying attention to airline operations, crew actions and regulatory measures.

Boeing is upgrading the MCAS software and training while stressing that existing cockpit procedures enable safe flight.

People familiar with the investigation have already said the anti-stall software was activated by erroneous ‘angle of attack’ data from a key aircraft sensor.

Now, the investigation has turned toward how MCAS was initially disabled by pilots following a checklist procedure, but then appeared to start working again repeatedly before the jet plunged to the ground, the two sources said. Boeing issued guidelines to pilots on how to disable the anti-stall system after the Indonesian crash, reminding pilots to use cut-out switches in the console to shut off the system in the event of problems.

Cockpit procedures call for pilots to leave the MCAS system off for the rest of the flight once it has been disengaged.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that the pilots had initially followed Boeing’s emergency procedures but later deviated from them as they tried to regain control of the plane.

Disabling the system does not shut down the MCAS system completely but severs an electrical link between the software’s attempts to give orders to push the plane lower and the actual controls, a person familiar with the aircraft system said. Investigators are studying whether there are any conditions under which MCAS could re-activate itself automatically, without the pilots intentionally reversing the cut-out maneuver.

Safety experts stress the investigation is far from complete and most aviation disasters are caused by a unique combination of human and technical factors.

None of the parties involved in the investigation was available for comment.</s>ADDIS ABABA: The pilots of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX jet that crashed last month had initially followed Boeing Co's emergency procedures but they still failed to regain control of the plane, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

The crash killed all 157 people on board and led to a global grounding of 737 MAX jets.

Boeing had issued guidelines to pilots about shutting off an automated anti-stall system in the wake of a deadly crash in Indonesia less than five months earlier.

READ: Boeing must do more work on proposed 737 MAX fix: US regulator

READ: No call for simulators in new Boeing 737 MAX training proposals



The Wall Street Journal report, citing unidentified people briefed on the matter, said the pilots had initially shut off the anti-stall system called MCAS that was pushing the airplane's nose down shortly after it took off from Addis Ababa.

The pilots then cranked a manual wheel in an attempt to stabilize the plane, the report said, but they eventually decided to restore power to the usual electric trim on their control yokes, likely because the manual attempt didn't achieve the desired results.

Returning the electric power reactivated MCAS and allowed it to continue its strong downward commands, the newspaper said.

A preliminary report into the crash has not yet been released by Ethiopian investigators.

Ethiopia's Ministry of Transport spokesman Musie Yehyies said there were no plans to publish the report on Wednesday. The report is expected within 30 days of the March 10 disaster under international rules governing crash investigations.

Boeing did not respond to a request for comment outside regular U.S. working hours.

The planemaker said on Monday it planned to submit a proposed software enhancement package to MCAS in the "coming weeks", having previously said it would deliver the fix for U.S. approval by last week.</s>Popular

Drinking culture and American kids

On America's college campuses, there are epidemics we talk about and those we don't. When sexual assaults or fraternity hazing deaths make headlines, court cases follow and new rules are enacted, but less attention is paid to an underlying issue – binge drinking culture. CBSN Originals explores how drinking to excess is not only considered normal, but cool, and how for many young people "blacking out" is less a rarity than an every weekend occurrence – with grave consequences.</s>Ethiopia's Ministry of Transport Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau released (03-Apr-2019) its preliminary investigation into the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a Boeing 737 MAX (ET-AVJ28) which crashed southeast of Addis Ababa Bole International Airport on 10-Mar-2019. Initial findings include:
• The aircraft possessed a valid certificate of airworthiness, the crew had obtained the necessary licenses and qualifications to conduct the flight;
• The takeoff roll appeared normal, including normal values of left and right angle-of-attack (AOA);
• Shortly after liftoff, the value of the left angle of attack sensor deviated from the right one and reached 74.5 degrees while the right angle of attack sensor value was 15.3 degrees then after. The stick shaker activated and remained active until near the end of the flight;
• After autopilot engagement, there were small amplitude roll oscillations accompanied by lateral acceleration, rudder oscillations and slight heading changes; these oscillations also continued after the autopilot disengaged;
• After the autopilot disengaged, the flight data recorder (FDR) shows an automatic aircraft nose down (AND) trim command four times without pilot's input. As a result, three motions of the stabiliser trim were recorded. The FDR data also indicated that the crew utilised the electric manual trim to counter the automatic AND input;
• The crew performed runaway stabiliser checklist and put the stab trim cutout switch to cutout position and confirmed that the manual trim operation was not working;
• Initial safety actions taken:
• Ethiopian Airlines decided to suspend operation of 737 MAX the day of the accident.
• The Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority issued a NOTAM on 14-Mar-2019 regarding operation of the 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft from, into or over the Ethiopian airspace, which is still active;
• 
• Since repetitive un-commanded aircraft nose down conditions are noticed in this preliminary investigation, it is recommended that the aircraft flight control system related to flight controllability shall be reviewed by the manufacturer;
• Aviation authorities shall verify that the review of the aircraft flight control system related to flight controllability has been adequately addressed by the manufacturer before the release of the aircraft to operations. [more - original PR]</s>Boeing says it will review the preliminary investigation report on the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 by the Ethiopian Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) released on Thursday in Addis Ababa.

A statement by Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ President and CEO, Kevin McAllister, on Thursday, said that understanding the circumstances that contributed to the accident was critical to ensuring safe flight.

According to McAllister, “we will carefully review the AIB’s preliminary report and will take any and all additional steps necessary to enhance the safety of our aircraft.”

He said that safety was a core value for everyone at Boeing and the safety of its airplanes, customers, passengers and crews was always a top priority.

“Boeing’s technical experts continue to assist in this investigation and company-wide teams are working to address lessons from the Lion Air Flight 610 accident in October.

“The preliminary report contains flight data recorder information indicating the airplane had an erroneous angle of attack sensor input that activated the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) function during the flight, as it had during the Lion Air 610 flight.

“To ensure unintended MCAS activation will not occur again, Boeing has developed and is planning to release a software update to MCAS and an associated comprehensive pilot training and supplementary education program for the 737 MAX.

“As previously announced the update adds additional layers of protection and will prevent erroneous data from causing MCAS activation.

“Flight crews will always have the ability to override MCAS and manually control the airplane,” he said.

McAllister said that Boeing would continue to work with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and other regulatory agencies worldwide on the development and certification of the software update and training program.

He added that the manufacturer would also continue to work closely with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as technical advisors in support of the Ethiopian AIB investigation.

According to him, as a party providing technical assistance under the direction of investigating authorities, Boeing is prevented by international protocol and NTSB regulations from disclosing any information relating to the investigation.

“In accordance with international protocol, information about the investigation is provided only by investigating authorities in charge.

“I will like to reiterate that our deepest sympathies are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the accident.

“We thank the Ethiopia’s Accident Investigation Bureau for its hard work and continuing efforts,” he said.

Ethiopian Airlines had on Thursday disclosed in its preliminary report, that the pilots of the ill-fated aircraft followed instructions that Boeing recommended and FAA approved emergency procedures to handle the most difficult emergency situation created on the airplane.</s>The Ethiopian government has published its preliminary report into the plane crash that killed all 157 people on board last month. It was the second crash involving a Boeing 737 Max in five months. The report found that the crew on the Ethiopian Airlines flight followed all the procedures provided by Boeing, but still weren't able to control the plane. It crashed after take-off from Addis Ababa. Boeing is developing system reforms to submit to regulators for approval. Still, no airlines are taking delivery of new 737 Max planes right now.

Click the audio player above to hear the full story.</s>Boeing has moved to ground its entire global 737 MAX aircraft fleet after an Ethiopian Airline crash killed 157 people.

Ethiopian authorities will deliver their first report on the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on Thursday.

The report will be released at 10.30am local time (5:30pm AEDT), Transport Ministry spokesman Mussie Yiheyis told dpa.

About 35 nationalities were among the 157 passengers and crew who died when the new Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane crashed just six minutes after takeoff from the capital Addis Ababa in clear conditions.

The March 10 disaster was the second crash of a MAX 8 in five months and has prompted the worldwide grounding of Boeing’s best-selling plane.

The pilots of the doomed Ethiopian flight initially followed Boeing’s emergency steps for dealing with a sudden downturn of the nose of their plane but could not regain control, according to a published report.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that pilots of the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max turned off a flight-control system but still could not get the plane to climb.

They turned the system back on and tried other actions before the plane crashed, the paper said, citing anonymous sources.

In a statement, Boeing urged against speculating before the preliminary report and flight data from the plane are released.

The Journal says the pilots’ actions are still being evaluated by investigators but could raise questions about past assertions from Boeing and US regulators on how to disengage the anti-stall system.

Investigators are examining the crashes that killed all 346 aboard the 737 Max 8 jets operated by Indonesia’s Lion Air in October and Ethiopian Airlines, including the role of a flight-control system called MCAS, which under some circumstances could automatically turn the plane’s nose down to prevent an aerodynamic stall.</s>The Ethiopian government on Thursday briefed newsmen on the initial findings of its investigation into the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302.

Concise News reports that both the government and the airline says the Ethiopian authorities preliminary report shows that the doomed jet’s crew followed the guidance provided by Boeing on how to fly the plane.

They also used its flight control systems, heaping the blame largely on the manufacturer.

“The March 10 crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 killed all 157 passengers and crew on the Boeing 737 Max 8 jet.

“Data has shown significant similarities between the crash and the Lion Air disaster in October when the same model of the plane crashed soon after take-off.

“All Boeing Max jets have been grounded worldwide as the investigations continue.

“Ethiopian officials say the pilots followed instructions provided by Boeing.

“Ethiopian Airlines says the initial report clearly showed its pilots followed the guidance provided by Boeing and approved by the FAA,’’ the report says.

Aviation authorities around the world grounded Boeing 737 MAX aircraft after the Ethiopian Airlines crash on March 10 left 157 people dead. Nigeria’s Professor Pius Adesanmi was among the dead.

The same Boeing model was involved in a Lion Air plane crash in Indonesia in October that killed 189 people.

Data from the black box of the Ethiopian jet show similarities between the two crashes.</s>The crew of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 followed procedures from Boeing but could not stop the plane from repeatedly nose-diving and ultimately crashing last month, killing all 157 people on board, Ethiopian officials said Thursday.

Presenting the preliminary report into the crash, Ethiopian Transport Minister Dagmawit Moges told reporters in Addis Ababa that "the crew performed all the procedures repeatedly provided by the manufacturer but was not able to control the aircraft."

Hours later, Boeing Company CEO Dennis Muilenburg conceded that it was a software error that caused the 737 Max jets to crash, but he noted that most aviation accidents are "caused by a chain of events."

"With the release of the preliminary report of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 accident investigation, it's apparent that in both flights the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, known as MCAS, activated in response to erroneous angle of attack information," he said in a statement.

"It's our responsibility to eliminate this risk. We own it and we know how to do it," he added.

The preliminary report by Ethiopian officials said they could not yet determine whether there was a structural problem with the aircraft, based on data retrieved from the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder.

Moges said the Boeing 737 Max 8 had a valid certificate of airworthiness, the crew had necessary qualifications and takeoff appeared to be normal.

"Since repetitive uncommanded aircraft nose down conditions are noticed ... it is recommend that the aircraft control system shall be reviewed by the manufacturer," Moges said.

"Despite [the pilots'] hard work and full compliance with the emergency procedures, it was very unfortunate that they could not recover the airplane from the persistence (of) nose diving," Ethiopian Airlines wrote in a statement on Thursday.

Boeing said it will "carefully review" the investigation's findings.

"I'd like to reiterate our deepest sympathies are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the accident," Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Kevin McAllister said in an emailed statement. "We thank Ethiopia's Accident Investigation Bureau for its hard work and continuing efforts. Understanding the circumstances that contributed to this accident is critical to ensuring safe flight."

Officials said "additional documents" gathered from the operator and aviation authorities, as well as remnants collected at the accident site, were also used in the preliminary report's conclusion.

The full report into the crash will be released within a year, Moges said. She added that an international team investigating the crash includes the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration in the U.S., France's BEA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.

The Ethiopian Airlines jet crashed minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa on March 10, just months after an earlier crash of a Lion Air jet in Indonesia of the same model plane. Ethiopian officials had previously said readings from black box data showed "clear" similarities between the two flights.

As NPR's Russell Lewis has reported, the similarities involve an anti-stall system on both jets, the MCAS, designed to push the nose of the plane down if flight control systems sense a problem with low air speed. Both the planes appeared to ascend and descend erratically, suggesting the pilots struggled to maintain control.

The two crashes killed a combined 346 people and led to Max 8 being grounded in dozens of countries across the world, including the United States.

Boeing continues to work on a software fix for its flight control systems, which was initially slated to be submitted to the FAA last week. But the FAA said in a statement on Monday that it now expects Boeing's submission in the coming weeks.

"Time is needed for additional work by Boeing as the result of an ongoing review of the 737 MAX Flight Control System to ensure that Boeing has identified and appropriately addressed all pertinent issues," the FAA wrote.

In Boeing's statement, the company did not indicate when the update will be released but said that it "adds additional layers of protection and will prevent erroneous data from causing MCAS activation."

Daniel Elwell, acting head of the FAA, in testimony before a Senate committee last week, defended the agency's decision to ground the plane days after most other countries had already done so, as well as the FAA's process for reviewing changes to plane design.

"The FAA is directly involved in the testing and certification of new and novel features and technologies," he said in his opening remarks.

Last month, The Seattle Times reported that an analysis Boeing delivered to the Federal Aviation Administration regarding the safety of MCAS "had several crucial flaws." Anonymous sources inside the FAA told the Times that the agency inappropriately delegated the airplane's certification to Boeing employees.

Boeing told the Times there were "significant mischaracterizations" in its description of flaws in the analysis.</s>The preliminary investigation into the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 shows that the pilots "repeatedly performed" all the procedures recommended by Boeing on how to handle the anti-stall system, the Ethiopian government has said.

Ethiopia’s minister for transport, Dagmawit Moges, released the preliminary findings at a press conference in Addis Ababa today. She added that the “take-off appeared very normal” but the crew was unable to regain control of the airplane despite following Boeing’s recommended procedures.
• The report also showed that the pilots of the ill-fated aircraft had the licence and qualifications to handle the flight.
• On Wednesday, the reported that the pilots switched off the anti-stall system and then cranked a manual wheel before switching back to the usual electric trim.
• The investigation chairman, Amdeye Ayalew, said that the investigators had not found any design problem or foreign object damage. He said: “Is there a structural design problem? We cannot predict right now.”

Ethiopian Airlines reacted to the report saying: “Despite their hard work and full compliance with the emergency procedures, it is very unfortunate that they could not recover the airplane from the persistence of nose diving.”
• CEO Tewolde GebreMariam added that the airline was “very proud of our pilots’ compliances to follow the emergency procedures and high level of professional performances in such extremely difficult situations”.

The Ethiopian government recommended that the manufacturer (Boeing) review the aircraft control system, and that aviation authorities review the same issues of controllability and ensure they are “adequately addressed” before allowing the Boeing 737 Max-8 to fly again.
• Although the preliminary report has not been published yet, the information from the press conference is likely to pile pressure on Boeing and the FAA to solve the issue effectively. While Boeing says it has solved the problem, the new software update still has not received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.
• It is also likely to influence the lawsuits being filed against the manufacturer and the airline.
The Ethiopian government releases a preliminary report on the investigation into the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302.