Boeing 737 MAX Resumes Domestic Flight in China After 2018 and 2019 Crashes
China Southern Airlines took off from southern China on Friday with a Boeing 737 MAX on its first domestic flight since March 2019, when it was grounded due to two fatal accidents. The flights symbolize a victory for Boeing in what is one of its most important markets.
In 2018 and 2019, Boeing 737 MAX planes crashed in Indonesia and Ethiopia, killing 189 and 157 people respectively. The cause of both incidents was eventually linked to a faulty flight management system called the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS).
Leading countries implemented a ban on the plane for several months. Following software modifications and pilot training, the plane was given the green light in the United States November 2020. Other countries around the world have since then followed suit.
Friday’s China Southern Airlines flight departed from Guangzhou City, heading to Zhengzhou. A second 737 MAX took off from the same airport and flew to Wuhan.
The successful flight is seen as a major victory for the aviation company, after its aircraft’s disrepute due to the disasters.
