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The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has completed test flights of the Boeing 737 Max, a key milestone in restoring airworthiness certification and returning the aircraft to operational status. Transport Canada (TC) completed its flight tests in late August. These flights were made in Vancouver, Canada, due to Covid-19 travel restrictions. Both the European and Canadian tests involve the validation of data collected by the FAA from June 29 to July 1 using a Max 7.
In a statement issued on September 11, the European regulator said that its next step in evaluating the aircraft for its return to service will be to analyze data and other information gathered from the flights before a meeting of the Operations Evaluation Board. Joint to be held at London Gatwick. Airport in the UK next week.
Flight tests have mainly focused on the Aircraft Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). It was a flaw in this system that was identified during investigations and linked to two crashes in October 2018 and March 2019 that killed 346 people between them. This resulted in the 737 Max being grounded by world aviation authorities for an unprecedented period that has already lasted 17 months.
EASA and TC have been working steadily, in close cooperation with the FAA and Boeing, to return the 737 MAX to commercial service as soon as possible, “but only once we are satisfied that it is safe,” EASA said.
Transport Canada added that it “will not lift the flight restrictions on the Boeing 737 Max 8 until the department is fully satisfied that the manufacturer and the FAA have addressed all safety concerns and improved procedures and training have been implemented for the crew. Of flight. “
Meanwhile, an FAA AD proposal published last month calls for requiring a series of design changes to address MCAS and angle of attack sensors. Comments must be submitted by September 21. The agency is also placing the Preliminary Summary of the FAA Review of the Boeing 737 Max on file to assist with the review of the proposed AD.
