LOT Polish Airlines has accused Boeing of concealing safety issues related to the 737 MAX aircraft in a lawsuit being heard in the United States.
During court proceedings in Seattle, LOT’s lawyers argued that Boeing hid critical safety concerns linked to the MCAS system from both airlines and regulators during the 2016 sales campaign for the 737 MAX.
According to the lawsuit, Boeing developed the MCAS system to address the aircraft’s tendency to pitch upward under certain conditions. However, the company allegedly minimized details about the system to the Federal Aviation Administration in an effort to avoid costly simulator training requirements for pilots. LOT argued that Boeing’s key sales promise was that no additional pilot training would be necessary.
Former LOT executive Maciej Wilk testified that switching to the Airbus A320 would have required expensive simulator training, which Boeing used as a competitive advantage.
LOT stated that it agreed to lease 15 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft without being aware of the safety concerns surrounding MCAS.
The MCAS system played a critical role in the crashes of Lion Air Flight 610 crash and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash, which together claimed 346 lives. LOT’s legal team argued that Boeing continued assuring both airlines and the public that the aircraft was safe even after the first crash.
Following the second accident in 2019, 737 MAX aircraft were grounded worldwide for nearly 20 months before returning to service after MCAS modifications and additional pilot training requirements were introduced. LOT later resumed operating the updated aircraft.
Boeing’s lawyers countered in court that LOT continues to operate the 737 MAX daily despite accusing the company of fraud, criticizing what they described as a contradictory position by the airline.
📸:LOT
