This Netflix documentary goes into detail about the cause of the 737-Max airline crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. The film excels at making complex aviation and business issues accessible. It wasn’t a dull recitation of facts; the dramatizations and reactions of families were emotional hooks. The issue: Boeing had installed new software on this model, and it didn’t tell anyone, including the FAA, because it didn’t want to require more pilot training.

The problem started several years earlier with the merger of McDonnell Douglas. The CEO of MD assumed the position at Boeing and started a complete change in the corporate culture that had set priorities on safety and inspections. Instead, he focused on the quarterly Wall St. stock earnings, and the bonuses that he received. In the end, after he was forced to resign, he got a 62-million dollar exit golden parachute. Workers at the Boeing plants were told to push forward construction and do not create delays even when they found problems.

The film also explains the problems with the new software that overtook control of the aircraft and confused the pilots when they couldn’t understand what was happening. They didn’t know the new software had been installed on their planes, and they couldn’t have responded within 10 seconds to over-ride the system anyway.

Boeing refused to ground this model aircraft even after two planes in 2019 had crashed at sea killing hundreds of people within five months. It wasn’t until the President finally grounded the aircraft for two years while they were refitted. That also started an investigation in Congress. The investigation dragged on for months with Boeing refusing to submit the required documentation and crash reports that were needed. Finally, they submitted hundreds of pages that revealed the criminal negligence of Boeing. Boeing also refused to contact or compensation for the families of victims. Congress had to impose a $1.6 billion fine to be used for that compensation. Boeing is still in operation.

Boeing had long and successful record in commercial aviation. When the European Airbus introduced a new more fuel-efficient aircraft, they lost business. Boeing installed new engines, but they also created flight-danger problems. They tried to patch the problem with the new software, and that only created more problems.

Although this case probably was the most dramatic episode, unfortunately it wasn’t only one as CEO and board-of-directors sought more profits and reduced the commitment to safety as they fought any regulations starting in the 80’s until the present day.

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