What new FAA requirements followed the 737 MAX fatal crashes?

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FAA Certification of Boeing 737 MAX 7 Follows New Legislative Mandates

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified the Boeing 737 MAX 7 aircraft, a process significantly impacted by new requirements established under federal legislation enacted after two fatal MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019. These legislative changes, particularly the 2020 act, mandated substantial safety upgrades for the entire MAX fleet, including the installation of new Angle of Attack (AOA) sensors.
Enhanced Safety Mandates Following Fatal Crashes

The certification of the 737 MAX 7, the smallest variant in the MAX family, was notably delayed due to a decade of rigorous review and the implementation of new regulatory standards. These stringent requirements arose directly from the investigations into the 2018 Lion Air and 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crashes, which tragically claimed 346 lives. The accidents highlighted critical flaws in the aircraft's design, particularly the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), which had activated improperly and led to loss of control.
Legislative Response and Sensor Upgrades

In response to the crashes and subsequent congressional scrutiny that revealed weaknesses in government oversight of Boeing, federal legislation was passed in 2020. This act imposed specific safety mandates on the aircraft manufacturer. A key provision required Boeing to equip its entire fleet of over 2,300 MAX planes with new AOA sensors within a two-year timeframe. This measure aimed to bolster the aircraft's ability to detect and respond to aerodynamic conditions more reliably.
Rigorous Testing and Certification Process

To meet the updated certification standards, Boeing undertook an extensive testing regimen for the MAX 7. This included conducting 441 flight tests, accumulating 686 test flight hours. The FAA's approval signifies that the aircraft has undergone a thorough evaluation process designed to ensure its safety and operational capabilities, addressing the systemic issues that contributed to the earlier accidents. Boeing is also nearing certification for the larger 737 MAX 10 model and continues to work on the 777X.

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What new FAA requirements followed the 737 MAX fatal crashes?

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