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

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