Assignment 1
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School
Conestoga College *
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Course
8000-4
Subject
Industrial Engineering
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by Lovebatra1521
1. Root Cause(s) of the Issue:
The root cause of the issue can be traced back to a system called the Maneuvering Characteristics
Augmentation System (MCAS) installed in the Boeing 737 Max 8. The MCAS was designed to address
the aircraft's tendency to pitch up under certain conditions. However, the design and
implementation of the MCAS were flawed. The system relied on a single angle-of-attack sensor,
which, if faulty, could trigger the MCAS erroneously. This design flaw led to two fatal crashes—Lion
Air Flight 610 in October 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in March 2019.
2. Appraisal Cost:
Appraisal costs are associated with the evaluation of processes and their outputs to ensure that they
meet quality standards. In this scenario, the appraisal cost includes the expenses related to assessing
and validating the MCAS system and its integration into the Boeing 737 Max 8. The failure to
thoroughly appraise the MCAS system's potential risks resulted in tragic consequences and the
grounding of the aircraft.
5. External Failure Cost:
External failure costs occur when defects are discovered by customers. The external failure costs in
this scenario are substantial and include the loss of human lives, damage to Boeing's reputation,
legal expenses, compensations to the affected families, and the economic impact on airlines due to
the grounding of the 737 Max fleet.
6. Why was the MCAS system added to the Max 8?
The MCAS system was added to the Boeing 737 Max 8 to address the aircraft's new aerodynamic
characteristics resulting from larger engines being placed farther forward on the wings. This change
in engine placement caused the aircraft to have an increased tendency to pitch up. The MCAS was
intended to automatically adjust the aircraft's nose down to prevent a stall in specific flight
conditions.
7. How did a company with a reputation for quality and safety find itself in this situation?
Several factors contributed to Boeing finding itself in this situation despite its reputation for quality
and safety:
Pressure for Market Competition:
Boeing faced intense competition from Airbus,
particularly with the A320neo. The need to deliver an upgraded aircraft quickly might have
led to shortcuts in the development and testing process.
Overreliance on a Single Sensor:
Relying on a single angle-of-attack sensor for the MCAS was
a critical flaw. Redundancy and robust sensor systems were not adequately prioritized.
Communication Breakdown:
There were alleged communication issues between Boeing and
the regulatory authorities. The FAA's delegation of some certification tasks to Boeing itself
raised questions about the independence and thoroughness of the regulatory process.
8. How did Boeing leadership manage this crisis?
Boeing faced criticism for its handling of the crisis:
Initial Denial:
There were early attempts to downplay the issues and attribute the crashes
solely to pilot error.
Communication Challenges:
Boeing's communication with the public, regulators, and airlines
was criticized for lacking transparency and clarity.
Leadership Changes:
Boeing's CEO, Dennis Muilenburg, eventually resigned in December
2019. Leadership changes were seen as a response to the mishandling of the crisis.
Corrective Actions:
Boeing worked to address the issues with the MCAS system,
collaborating with regulators and implementing software updates and additional pilot
training.
In summary, Boeing's crisis was a result of a combination of design flaws, inadequate testing,
regulatory challenges, and poor crisis management. The costs incurred, both in terms of human lives
and financial impact, underscore the importance of prioritizing quality and safety in aerospace
engineering.
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