Read the Boeing Pilot Messages From 2016: ‘The Plane Is Trimming Itself Like Craxy’
A top Boeing pilot working on the 737 Max said in messages from 2016 that a new automated system known as MCAS was making the plane difficult to control in flight simulators. The messages suggest that Boeing officials working on the development of the best-selling jet knew of potential issues with the automated system years before the plane was involved in two deadly crashes.
The system is believed to have played a central role in both fatal accidents, using faulty data to send the planes into unrecoverable nose dives shortly after takeoff.
Below is the exchange the pilot, Mark Forkner, had with a colleague in November 2016. (Identifying information, as well as an expletive, has been intentionally obscured.)
TO: Forkner, Mark A[xxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.com]; Gustavsson, Patrik H[xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.com]
FROM: Forkner, Mark A
SENT: Wed 11/16/2016 2:55:56 AM (UTC)
SUBJECT: Conversation with Forkner, Mark A
Mark Forkner 6:46 PM:
dude, log off!
\
Gustavsson, Patrik H 6:46 PM:
You too!!!
I just logged on to check my schedule. I have so much to do that I want to work from home
I just cant get stuff done in the office
Mark Forkner 6:47 PM:
nah, I’m locked in my hotel room with an ice cold grey goose, I’ll probably fire off a few dozen inappropriate emails before I call it a night
Gustavsson, Patrik H 6:47 PM:
LMAO!!!!
Mark Forkner 6:47 PM:
this job is insane
Gustavsson, Patrik H 6:47 PM:
So did you get anything done in the sim today?
Or what is the normal chaos there?
Mark Forkner 6:48 PM:
although it must be easy compared to working as a tech pilot for RYR
Gustavsson, Patrik H 6:48 PM:
Well it’s different here. We are pretty busy here for sure.
Mark Forkner 6:48 PM:
actually this one is pretty stable, and I signed off some DRs, but there are still some real fundamental issues that they claim they’re aware of
Gustavsson, Patrik H 6:48 PM:
What I hated about Ryanair was the extreme pressure they put on people
Ok, that’s good
Mark Forkner 6:49 PM:
so I just need to start being a xxxx to make you quit?
Gustavsson, Patrik H 6:49 PM:
LOL, that’s it!
Mark Forkner 6:49 PM:
alright, no more mr nice guy!
actually I’d cry uncontrollably if you left
I’d ask for a job in sales where I can just get paid to drink with customers and lie about how awesome our airplanes are
Gustavsson, Patrik H 6:50 PM:
I’d cry if anyone in our group left.
Mark Forkner 6:50 PM:
Oh shocker alerT!
MCAS is now active down to M .2
It’s running rampant in the sim on me
at least that’s what Vince thinks is happening
Gustavsson, Patrik H 6:51 PM:
Oh great, that means we have to update the speed trim descritption in vol 2
Mark Forkner 6:51 PM:
so I basically lied to the regulators (unknowingly)
Gustavsson, Patrik H 6:51 PM:
it wasnt a lie, no one told us that was the case
Mark Forkner 6:51 PM:
I’m levelling off at like 4000 ft, 230 knots and the plane is trimming itself like craxy
I’m like, WHAT?
Gustavsson, Patrik H 6:52 PM:
that’s what i saw on sim one, but on approach
I think thats wrong
Mark Forkner 6:52 PM:
granted, I suck at flying, but even this was egregious
Gustavsson, Patrik H 6:52 PM:
No, i think we need aero to confirm what its supposed to be doing
Mark Forkner 6:53 PM:
Vince is going to get me some spreadsheet table that shows when it’s supposed to kick in. why are we just now hearing about this?
Gustavsson, Patrik H 6:53 PM:
I don’t know, the test pilots have kept us out of the loop
It’s really only christine that is trying to work with us, but she has been too busy
Mark Forkner 6:54 PM:
they’re all so damn busy, and getting pressure from the program
Gustavsson, Patrik H 6:54 PM:
That is true, I wouldnt want to be them
Ok, its time to log off
Mark Forkner 6:55 PM:
ok later man
Gustavsson, Patrik H 6:55 PM:
I’ll work from home tomorrow, be online all day later