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Is The 737Max Safe To Fly?

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By Yosi Yahoudai
Founder and Managing Partner

Boeing is expected to face significant legal liability because of the issues related to the 737 Max 8 airplanes. Lawsuits by families who lost loved ones in airplane crashes and airlines who have lost significant revenue from the grounding of the 737 Max 8 planes could cripple the airplane manufacturer. Boeing could face government fines and penalties depending on the outcome of various investigations.

Individuals and others who sustained damages because of the airplane crashes or related events may want to discuss their cases with a California airplane accident lawyer to learn more about their legal rights and options for filing injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits.

Is Boeing At Fault for the 737 Max 8 Plane Crashes?

In just five months, two 737 Max 8 jetliners crashed killing 346 people. As investigators continued to try to find out exactly what caused Lion Air to crash in Indonesia on October 29, 2018, another 737 Max 8 operated by Ethiopian Airlines crashed just outside of Addis Ababa on March 10, 2019. The similarities of the crashes have caused investigators to look very closely at whether faulty sensors and software were the reason for the tragic disasters.

On March 11, 2019, Boeing issued a statement  claiming that it had been working on a flight control software enhancement that would make an “already safe aircraft even safer.” According to the statement, Boeing was working closely with the FAA on the development, planning, and certification of the software enhancement.

The question that will no doubt be raised in many lawsuits is when did Boeing realize that there could be a problem or defect in the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) and what had it done to correct the problem while protecting passenger safety. In the press, there appears to be confusion whether the failsafe system that is suspected of having caused the plane crashes could have been disabled and whether flight crews were given adequate training on how to disable the failsafe, if possible.

Who is Responsible for Aviation Disasters?

In the case of the Boeing 737 Max 8, it is impossible to know who will be held liable until the investigation is complete. However, if the information being reported by various news outlets is true, Boeing could have some liability for the crashes if it knew or should have reasonably known of a defect or malfunction in one of the airplane systems. Likewise, a failure to adequately train the pilots or provide adequate information about potential risks or operational standards could also be a factor in holding the airplane manufacturer responsible for damages.

In addition to an airplane manufacturer, other parties may be liable for aviation injuries. A thorough investigation by government officials and independent investigators working for third parties typically uncovers the cause of the crash and the parties responsible for the crash.

Safety is a Top Priority for Many Countries

After the second 737 Max 8 crashed, many countries began grounding the jetliners pending an investigation into the cause of the crash. The FAA initially claimed there was no reason to ground the planes.  However, the FAA finally reversed its decisions and joined the more than 40 countries who had already grounded the jets. At this time, it is anticipated that the 737 Max 8 jetliners will remain grounded until the investigation is complete and a solution to the malfunction or issue that caused the crashes is implemented and thoroughly tested.

Contact a California Personal Injury Lawyer If You Have Questions

Injuries on aircraft are not limited to crashes. Individuals may be injured on an aircraft during flight, takeoff, landing, or during the boarding of the aircraft. If you were injured in an aircraft incident, contact a California personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options for filing a claim against the party or parties liable for your damages.

 

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About the Author
Yosi Yahoudai is a founder and the managing partner of J&Y. His practice is comprised primarily of cases involving automobile and motorcycle accidents, but he also represents people in premises liability lawsuits, including suits alleging dangerous conditions of public property, third-party criminal conduct, and intentional torts. He also has expertise in cases involving product defects, dog bites, elder abuse, and sexual assault. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. If you have any questions about this article, you can contact Yosi by clicking here.