Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System
E561894
The Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) is an automated flight-control feature on Boeing 737 MAX aircraft designed to adjust the aircraft’s pitch based on sensor inputs, and it became widely known after its role in two fatal crashes led to the global grounding of the MAX fleet.
Statements (48)
| Predicate | Object |
|---|---|
| instanceOf |
flight control system
ⓘ
software-based control function ⓘ |
| abbreviation | MCAS NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| actsOn | aircraft pitch ⓘ |
| alsoKnownAs | MCAS flight control law NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| appliesToAircraftModel |
Boeing 737 MAX 8
NERFINISHED
ⓘ
Boeing 737 MAX 9 NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| associatedWith |
changes in aircraft aerodynamics
ⓘ
changes in engine placement on 737 MAX ⓘ |
| canBeOverriddenBy | pilot use of stabilizer trim cutout switches ⓘ |
| consequenceOfAccidents | global grounding of Boeing 737 MAX fleet ⓘ |
| controls | horizontal stabilizer trim ⓘ |
| criticizedFor |
inadequate pilot training information
ⓘ
insufficient documentation in flight manuals ⓘ lack of redundancy in sensor inputs ⓘ |
| designedTo | reduce risk of aerodynamic stall ⓘ |
| developedBy | Boeing NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| documentedIn | airworthiness directives for Boeing 737 MAX ⓘ |
| effect | commands nose-down stabilizer movement ⓘ |
| groundingStartYear | 2019 ⓘ |
| implementedAs | software in flight control computers ⓘ |
| industryImpact | increased scrutiny of automated flight control systems ⓘ |
| initialDesignUsed | single angle of attack sensor ⓘ |
| introducedOn | Boeing 737 MAX development program NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| involvedIn |
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash
NERFINISHED
ⓘ
Lion Air Flight 610 crash ⓘ |
| language | English name ⓘ |
| ledTo |
changes in aircraft certification oversight practices
ⓘ
revisions to pilot training requirements for 737 MAX ⓘ |
| modifiedAfter | Boeing 737 MAX recertification process ⓘ |
| notPresentOn | Boeing 737 Next Generation NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| partOf | Boeing 737 MAX NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| postModificationFeature |
includes angle of attack disagree logic
ⓘ
limited authority over stabilizer movement ⓘ limited number of activations per event ⓘ uses inputs from two angle of attack sensors ⓘ |
| publicPerception | controversial safety feature ⓘ |
| purpose |
augment pitch stability
ⓘ
make 737 MAX handling characteristics similar to earlier 737 models ⓘ |
| relatedTo | speed trim system ⓘ |
| safetyIssue | susceptible to erroneous angle of attack data ⓘ |
| subjectOf |
U.S. Congressional hearings
ⓘ
regulatory investigations by EASA ⓘ regulatory investigations by FAA ⓘ |
| triggerCondition |
flaps up configuration
ⓘ
high angle of attack ⓘ manual flight ⓘ |
| triggeredBy | angle of attack sensor input ⓘ |
Referenced by (1)
Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.