What similarities link the Ethiopian and Indonesian 737 MAX 8 crashes?

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Similarities Link Ethiopian and Indonesian 737 MAX 8 Crashes

Black box data from the Ethiopian Airlines crash reveals significant similarities to the earlier Indonesian Lion Air crash, with both incidents involving Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft that experienced similar flight anomalies shortly after takeoff. These parallels, including erratic climbs and descents and fluctuating airspeeds, have placed the automated anti-stalling system, known as MCAS, at the forefront of the ongoing investigations. The Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 crashed on March 10, resulting in 157 fatalities, while the Indonesian Lion Air flight 610, which occurred in October, claimed the lives of all 189 people on board.
Flight Dynamics and Aircraft Type

Both the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and the Indonesian Lion Air Flight 610 were operating Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Reports indicate that both planes exhibited concerning flight behaviour shortly after departing from their respective airports. Specifically, both aircraft reportedly experienced steep climbs and descents in an erratic manner, alongside significant fluctuations in airspeed.
Timing of Incidents

A critical commonality between the two tragic events is the timing of their crashes. In both instances, the aircraft experienced catastrophic failures and crashed a short period after takeoff. This pattern suggests a potential issue that manifests early in the flight envelope, shortly after leaving the ground and before reaching cruising altitude.
Focus on the MCAS System

The investigations into both crashes are heavily focused on the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), an automated flight control software designed for the 737 MAX 8. This system is intended to prevent stalls by automatically pushing the aircraft's nose downwards if it detects an impending stall condition. Data from the Lion Air crash indicated that the pilots struggled to counteract the MCAS, which repeatedly forced the plane's nose down. The similarities in flight behaviour observed in the Ethiopian Airlines crash data have intensified scrutiny on the MCAS system's functionality and its interaction with the pilots.

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What similarities link the Ethiopian and Indonesian 737 MAX 8 crashes?

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