Ethiopian 737 Max 8 crash and Fallout

[Quickstatus]

ET302 from ADD-NBO was supposed to arrive at 1027hrs (1827hrs AEST) 10Mar19 but didn’t. Presumed crashed

737 Max 8 involved

 

[juddles]

Not good

Seeing it went so little distance hopefully FDR etc will be located.

 

[Melburnian1]

ET302 from ADD to NBO (B737 Max 8 ET-AVJ, the 0815 hours) took off at 0838 hours on Sunday 10 March but crashed six minutes later.

149 passengers and eight crew have died, media reports:

Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 crashes en route to Kenya

RIP.

As it's a MAX, expect questions given this aircraft type has had some other problems resulting in loss of life:

Lion Air 737 Max 8 crash confirmed, 189 dead

I flew on SilkAir recently from SIN to CNS but on the day I travelled, it wasn't one of this new model.

Like many of us I've not flown on ET but apparently it's an up and coming airline that's launched many new routes in the last few years, although not as yet own metal to Oz.

 

[Quickstatus]

ET-AVJ departed at 0836 lost contact at 0845

4months old aircraft delivered 18Nov18

Good weather at ADD
10kt wind, 10km visibility, temp 18C

Noted that ADD elevation is 2350m

 

[kpc]

Terrible, terrible news....Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 crashes shortly after takeoff | International Flight Network

Office of the Prime Minister - Ethiopia on Twitter

The Office of the PM, on behalf of the Government and people of Ethiopia, would like to express it’s deepest condolences to the families of those that have lost their loved ones on Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 on regular scheduled flight to Nairobi, Kenya this morning.

 

[Quickstatus]

Crash site reported near town of Bishoftu 62km SE of ADD

Ethiopian Govt confirms crash and loss of life

I’m surprised that the Govt has expressed condolences so early. Hopefully there are survivors

The most infamous ET crash was hijacked ET961 ditching due to fuel starvation then cartwheeling in shallow water. Incredibly there were survivors. The only other was ET409, a B737-800 in 2010 from BEY-ADD which also crashed shortly after takeoff

I’ve have not flown with ET but reports suggest it’s a reputable airline with good governance

 

[pauly7]

ET302 from ADD to NBO (B737 Max 8 ET-AVJ, the 0815 hours) took off at 0838 hours on Sunday 10 March but crashed six minutes later.

149 passengers and eight crew have died, media reports:

Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 crashes en route to Kenya

RIP.

As it's a MAX, expect questions given this aircraft type has had some other problems resulting in loss of life:

Lion Air 737 Max 8 crash confirmed, 189 dead

.

One of the big questions is certainly going to be is this a coincidence or a terrible pattern....

I wonder if other airlines down for receiving this aircraft are feeling a little nervous now. When are VA’s due again? Can’t be far off.

RIP and condolences.

 

[Must...Fly!]

From FR24

 

[juddles]

That initial info from FR24 seems to show dives in the first couple of minutes in what should have been a climb phase?? Sounding familiar......

 

[Must...Fly!]

I wouldn't call it dives but it looks unstable.

 

[calmelb]

Though there doesn’t seem to be any data reflecting a dive at the end. Meaning it was probably a very sudden and steep dive

 

[jase05]

That initial info from FR24 seems to show dives in the first couple of minutes in what should have been a climb phase?? Sounding familiar......

Agree, sounds eerily familiar.

 

[Must...Fly!]

So the question is, if this does look so similar that it could potentially be a similar incident to Lion Air, what is the action/reaction from the air safety authorities...

 

[Saab34]

There is either a big problem here with the machine or a lack of appropriate training for flight crew for this type. There could be questions of the demand of skill required to successfully negotiate such problems.

This is not great for the 737 program and not great for Virgin.

 

[openseat]

So tragic. Condolences to the families of the people on board.

You'd hope that the 737MAX would be grounded. The flight radar 24 data looks terrible with inconsistent vertical speed and a final speed of 380kts.

 

[jch]

Star Alliance Facebook Page:

Star Alliance member Ethiopian Airlines confirms that its flight ET 302/10 March, in schedule service from Addis Ababa to Nairobi, was involved in an accident today.

At this time, search and rescue operations are in progress and we have no confirmed information about survivors or any possible casualties.

Ethiopian Airlines has established a passenger information centre and has advised the following telephone number for family or friends of those who may have been on flight ET 302/10 March.

011 517 8733 / 4735
(+251) from outside Ethiopia

Updated information will also be on Ethiopian Airlines website at www.ethiopianairlines.com

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

That initial info from FR24 seems to show dives in the first couple of minutes in what should have been a climb phase?? Sounding familiar......

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Quickstatus]

ET409 (2010 crash)
Investigation:
https://www.bea.aero/docspa/2010/et-b100125.en/pdf/et-b100125.en.pdf

?spatial disorientation?.

This flight was a daytime flight

 

[Melburnian1]

...You'd hope that the 737MAX would be grounded. The flight radar 24 data looks terrible with inconsistent vertical speed and a final speed of 380kts.

Given both the Lion Air loss of life and today's were a long way (geographically) from the USA, does it tend to be the US civil aviation regulator, local authorities or (not without a lot of thought) the manufacturer Boeing that takes the lead in any formal response?

Authorities may (initially) have a 'no blame' policy as they investigate, but do AFF members with knowledge "blame" the aircraft manufacturer for faults, defective training of the air crew, incorrect procedures by the latter or something else?

Or should we all take a deep breath and wait months until any formal investigations are complete?

Is it appropriate (at huge cost to the manufacturer and airlines) for this model to be immediately grounded worldwide or is that (no pun intended) massive overkill?

pauly7 mentioned VA. Given most airline passengers don't check what type of plane they fly on, if this type becomes part of the VA fleet will patrons switch to other airlines or avoid the MAX if it's operating?

 

[Captain Halliday]

For those who find a graph easier.