Dec. 2020
Comment letter to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) against their proposal to recertify the Boeing 737 MAX in Europe:
“The ET302 families are counting on EASA to be transparent. You promised us that EASA would not unground the 737 MAX until both crashes were understood, yet it now appears that the ungrounding is imminent even though EASA has not finished its analysis of the modified airplane. It would be impossible for EASA to conclude that the revised 737 MAX is safe before its own safety assessment is complete, especially since it is no longer possible to trust in the validity of the FAA’s ungrounding decision. It is also unacceptable for EASA to expect the public to take the agency at its word until EASA first addresses several remaining questions about the safety of the modified airplane.”
Excerpt from the letter
As EASA announces that it will return the Boeing 737 MAX to service in January 2021, more than 1,000 relatives and friends of ET302 victims have joined the association to officially send their comments to EASA (see the AD).
The Aviation Safety Bill has been passed by the U.S. Congress :
“A sweeping reform of how the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approves new commercial aircraft is on the brink of passage in Congress, propelled by a rare bipartisan push and public outrage over the Boeing 737 MAX crashes that killed 346.”
The Seattle Times, 12/20/20
U.S. Senate releases report condemning Boeing and the FAA :
“Last Friday, the U.S. Senate released a report on the new flight certification of the 737 MAX, Boeing’s flagship aircraft that has been grounded since two fatal crashes. According to the committee that issued the report, Boeing officials “improperly prepared” test pilots for the new certification. They added that the FAA, the U.S. aviation regulatory authority, and Boeing “attempted to conceal important information that could have contributed to the 737 MAX tragedies”.”
Capital, 12/21/20
Nov. 2020
Meeting with Steve Dickson, FAA Administrator:
On 11/18/20, the day the Boeing 737 MAX is recertified by the FAA in the United States, Steve Dickson, FAA Administrator, proposes a call with the families.
The association Flight ET302 – Solidarity & Justice participates in the meeting.
Comment on the FAA’s proposal for Boeing 737-8 MAX pilot training requirements:
“The families of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 victims oppose as inadequate the 737 MAX pilot training requirements proposed by the FAA’s Draft Flight Standardization Board Report. The recommendations, pertaining to the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), Autopilot Flight Director System enhancements, and additional Special Emphasis Training, are insufficient to ensure that 737 MAX pilots are properly equipped to handle all MCAS-related emergencies and prepared to serve as the last line of defense against another tragedy.”
Excerpt from the letter
Oct. 2020
“Public trust in the FAA needs to be repaired with more than just assurances.”
Excerpt from the letter to the FAA
On the second anniversary of the JT610 crash in Indonesia (10/29/18), the families of ET302 victims sent two letters to U.S. security agencies requesting documents on the 737 MAX.
- Letter demanding that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) release documents and information from the JT610 and ET302 investigations prior to the return to flight of the MAX
- Letter demanding that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) release the flight and simulator testing results that it is relying upon in permitting the MAX to fly again
These letters were signed by nearly 1,000 relatives of the victims of the ET302 crash.
Sept. 2020
Comment letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) against their proposed recertification of the Boeing 737 MAX in the United States:
“The families of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 (ET302) victims oppose the proposed rule and recertification of the 737 MAX because the airplane is aerodynamically unstable and does not comply with modern aircraft certification standards.”
Excerpt from the letter
This letter was signed by 2274 relatives of the victims of the ET302 crash.
Second meeting with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) :
On 09/16/20, the families met for the second time with Patrick Ky, Executive Director of EASA, to discuss the Boeing 737 MAX recertification process in Europe.
Since then, EASA has posted its Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the 737 MAX. A public consultation period is underway until 12/22/20.
Aug. 2020
Launch of the “AXE THE MAX” Petition:
Petition adressed to the United States Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Commerce, to the U.S. Department of Justice and to Boeing to prevent the Boeing 737 MAX from returning to service.
June 2020
Hearing of Steve Dickson, Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration by the United States Senate’s Commerce Committee:
On 06/17/20, the United States Senate’s Commerce Committee auditioned Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Steve Dickson regarding the FAA’s aircraft model certification process. One of the purposes of the hearing is to discuss new legislation to improve the FAA’s oversight of Boeing (Aviation Safety Bill).
The families of the ET302 victims then wrote to the senators of this committee with their comments to improve the bill.
April 2020
A petition is sent to the U.S. Congress asking them to ensure that no financial assistance should be given to Boeing without (1) making sure Boeing no longer self certifies the safety of its own aircraft; and (2) improving corporate governance so safety and engineering are first and shareholders last.
Dec. 2019
First meeting with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) :
On 12/18/19, Patrick Ky, Executive Director of EASA, met with the families of the ET302 victims to discuss the certification and recertification process of the Boeing 737 MAX by EASA. EASA promises complete transparency to the families.
The association Flight ET302 – Solidarity & Justice participates in the meeting.