re: 737max crashes in Ethiopia. Killing 157

quote:

---

first thing the pilot does is disable all of the automated systems

---

The MCAS system is designed only to lower the nose to reduce AoA when the flaps are retracted and the autopilot disengaged.

Most airlines, especially overseas, school their pilots to engage the AP at a certain altitude with corresponding airspeed. So, theoretically, this flight has just departed and climbing out passing 2000 ft the AP is engaged and flaps are retracted with speed checks. Somehow, whether software is in conflict with the FMS, or there is another glitch in the system. 737 Max has a new fly by wire spoiler system that is only available on the MAX 8/9. The plane should not be porpoising at 6500 ft on climb out. If the MCAS activated with the aircraft on A/P thats bad. If the aircraft suddenly increased its AoA uncommanded and induced a stick shake, very bad.

Cnn opinion piece talking about MCAS.

LINK

CNN also shared this cringeworthy graphic of “wingspan”. Note a problem?

Holy shite

Reminds me of the USA Today AR modification tweets

I was like, that's clearly my à real tweet. I Googled, and yep it did happen.
The response tweets were hilarious.

quote:

---

upgrayedd

---

I don’t know if you saw my post on the PB thread about the green berets. But it’s a fricking doosy. I think you’ll enjoy it

quote:

---

If the plane starts acting erratically, shouldn’t the first thing the pilot does is disable all of the automated systems and take over manually?

---

Yes, but a lot the modern ( last 25ish years) aircraft have been built with computer systems that even with AP disengaged, pilot inputs are relegated to whatever phase of flight the computer thinks it is in.

So a computer receives an input from a static port or pitot tube that is malfunctioning, so the computer thinks the aircraft is at cruise altitude due to the malfunction. The pilot knows the aircraft is only a few thousand feet or less from the ground and makes a pitch and power correction for the correct phase of flight. The computer will over ride the pilot in most situations to “prevent” the pilot from receiving the full input.

There are checklist to disable these systems but after initial takeoff, that would be a tall order for a crew.

Not saying that is what happened in this case, but just saying disconnection the AP doesn’t always give the Pilot full control of the aircraft.

quote:

---

I don’t know if you saw my post on the PB thread about the green berets. But it’s a fricking doosy. I think you’ll enjoy it

---

I saw your theoretical story and chuckled. I'll go back and check it out

Sounds very Floridian