China, Ethiopia And Grand Cayman Stop Flying The Jets

At least three countries have grounded their 737 MAX 8 airliners following an accident in Ethiopia Sunday which resulted in the fatal injury of all 157 people on board the airplane.

CNN reports that the Civil Aviation Administration of China has ordered all of the MAX 8 models to be grounded do to its "zero tolerance for safety hazards." China's fleet of 737 MAX 8s is one of the largest in the world, with 97 of the airplanes operating for multiple airlines, according to state-run media.

Ethiopia has also ordered the grounding of its 737 MAX 8 fleet as a "extra safety precaution, and Cayman Airways announced Monday that it would also stop flying its two new 737 MAX 8 airplanes "until more information is received."

Sunday's accident is the second in six months in which a Boeing 737 MAX 8 has gone down resulting in the loss of everyone on board. In October of last year, a Lion Air 737 MAX 8 went down in the Java Sea with 189 people on board. That investigation is still ongoing. China's CAAC said in a statement "Given in both air crashes, the aircraft were newly delivered Boeing 737 MAX 8, and both accidents occurred during the take-off, they share certain similarities." China said it would be contacting both the FAA and Boeing to resolve what it says are "flight safety" issues before lifting the order to ground the airplanes.

"Boeing is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the passengers and crew on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a 737 MAX 8 airplane. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew on board and stand ready to support the Ethiopian Airlines team," the planemaker said in a statement posted to its website. "A Boeing technical team will be travelling to the crash site to provide technical assistance under the direction of the Ethiopia Accident Investigation Bureau and U.S. National Transportation Safety Board."

(Image from file. Not accident airplane)

FMI: Source report, www.boeing.com