cover of episode Boeing | Point of Failure | 3

Boeing | Point of Failure | 3

2024/8/27
logo of podcast American Scandal

American Scandal

AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
叙述者
工程师
波音经理
测试飞行员
狮航副机长
狮航机长
经理
Topics
雷·格雷格:作为波音737 MAX的首席试飞员,我在模拟器测试中发现了飞机在高速急转弯时存在失速的风险。尽管这种可能性较小,但这是一个需要关注的安全问题。我相信波音公司会优先考虑安全,最终会采取正确的措施来确保飞机的安全可靠。 工程师:飞机失速问题是由于新发动机的位置改变了飞机的空气动力学特性造成的。重新设计尾翼是最佳解决方案,但成本高且会延误进度。MCAS软件可以作为一种更经济快捷的替代方案。 波音经理:在飞机研发后期进行重大设计更改(如重新设计尾翼)成本高且会延误进度,因此我们必须寻找更经济的解决方案。 叙述者:波音公司在与麦道公司合并后,其企业文化开始转变,将股票价格置于一切之上。为了与空客竞争,波音公司需要快速推出改进型737飞机,并满足提高燃油效率和无需额外飞行员培训的要求。这些要求导致了在安全问题上的妥协。 阿提斯·乌巴:MCAS软件过于依赖迎角传感器,传感器损坏可能导致MCAS在飞机未失速时激活。应该增加冗余系统以避免MCAS错误激活。 经理:MCAS软件只有在加速度计也检测到适当的G力时才会激活,因此仅仅基于迎角数据激活的可能性很小;增加冗余系统会增加成本和延误进度,甚至可能需要额外的飞行员培训,这些都是我们需要避免的。波音公司不会在有人员伤亡之前改变其做法。 马克·福特纳:我的任务是确保FAA批准737 MAX飞机,并且无需额外的飞行员培训。我们利用FAA认证人员缺乏工程背景的优势,通过大量技术数据来影响FAA的决策。 狮航机长:在一次飞行中,飞机的控制柱开始抖动,发出警报,我怀疑是传感器故障。通过关闭电子配平系统解决了飞机的俯冲问题。 狮航副机长:起飞后不久,飞机的控制柱开始振动,发出传感器读数不一致的警报。我们尽力控制飞机,但最终坠毁。 测试飞行员:模拟测试表明,MCAS失控可以通过标准程序解决,但前提是飞行员能够识别问题。在低速情况下,MCAS的反复激活是一个潜在问题,但我们认为平均水平的737飞行员可以处理这个问题。

Deep Dive

Chapters
The chapter discusses the pressure Boeing faced to compete with Airbus and the compromises made in the development of the 737 MAX to meet fuel efficiency and pilot training requirements.
  • Boeing merged with McDonnell Douglas in 1997, shifting priorities from safety to stock price.
  • Airbus's new aircraft threatened Boeing's 737, leading to a rushed redesign.
  • The new 737 MAX needed to be more fuel-efficient without additional pilot training.

Shownotes Transcript

In 2012, Boeing engineers and test pilots are under pressure to deliver a redesigned 737 quickly, to compete with a similar plane from their rival, Airbus. The 737 MAX has bigger, more fuel efficient engines, but it’s also prone to stalling. A complete redesign is out of the question, so engineers settle on installing a piece of software instead, called MCAS, which can automatically push down the plane’s nose and prevent a stall. But to avoid costly additional training, Boeing opts not to tell pilots about the new software – with disastrous results. 

Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/american-scandal/ now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info).