Wants More Improvement Of Sensor Integrity For The MCAS

EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky says the agency is not satisfied with Boeing's plan to bring the 737 MAX back into service, and wants the planemaker to do more to improve the sensors that are implicated in two fatal accidents earlier this year.

The Seattle Times reports that in a presentation to the Europan Parliament Tuesday, Ky (pictured) said EASA is also demanding that Boeing demonstrate the stability of the airliner in extreme maneuvers both the with the MCAS activated and switched off.

Boeing still hopes that the FAA will clear the MAX for a return to flight in October, and to revenue service for its customers by the end of the year. While other safety agencies normally follow the lead of the FAA in matters related to U.S.-manufactured airplanes, the 737 MAX may be a special case. FAA approval would allow U.S.-flagged airlines to return the airplane to return to service, but Boeing would be in an awkward position if other regulators withhold approval.

EASA sent a letter to the FAA on April 1 outlining four conditions it had for a return to service for the 737 MAX. They included “design changes proposed by Boeing are EASA approved (no delegation to FAA)" and completion of “additional and broader independent review” of the aircraft.

Boeing's updated MCAS software requires input from both AOA sensors, and it will not activate if they disagree. But KY said that EASA does not find that to be a sufficient solution to the problem.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report