Messages reveal a top Boeing pilot knew about problems with the 737 Max’s 'egregious' behavior before 2 deadly crashes

David Slotnick

October 18, 2019 7:25 PM

David Ryder/Getty Images

Boeing's chief technical pilot on the 737 Max project told another employee in 2016 that there were "egregious" problems with the jet's automated MCAS system.
The pilot made those observations at least two years before the first of two deadly crashes involving the 737 Max, in October 2018 and in March 2019.
Internal instant messages sent by Mark Forkner, the chief technical pilot, and another Boeing employee in 2016, were found by Boeing "some months ago," according to Reuters, which first reported on the messages.
The news comes as Boeing works to get the 737 Max back into service seven months after it was grounded worldwide.
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Boeing's chief technical pilot on the 737 Max project told another employee in 2016 that there were "egregious" problems with the jet's automated MCAS system, two years before the first of two fatal crashes attributed to the system, The New York Times reported on Friday.

Internal instant messages sent by Mark Forkner, the chief technical pilot, and another Boeing employee in 2016, were found by Boeing "some months ago," according to a report from Reuters , which first reported on the messages. However, Boeing did not turn them over to the FAA until Thursday.

The FAA told Reutersit found the messages "concerning" and "is reviewing this information to determine what action is appropriate."

Forkner was previously reported to have pleaded the fifth after being subpoenaed for documents as part of the Justice Department's investigation into the Max.

This story is developing. Check back for updates ...

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