The test pilot of the Boeing 737 Max allegedly deceived the authorities. He faces 100 years in prison

The former test pilot of the American company Boeing was charged on Thursday with fraud in connection with the case of 737 MAX machines. If he proves guilt, he faces up to 100 years in prison, AFP and AP reported on Friday.

According to the prosecutor’s office, pilot Mark Forkner “deceived” the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by providing them with “inaccurate and incomplete information” about the flight stabilization system known as MCAS. According to the AP, the incorrect functioning of this system led to the crash of two Boeing 737 MAX machines. The accidents claimed as many as 346 victims.

Mark Forkner worked as chief technical pilot. According to the prosecutor’s office, he knew that the MCAS system would require additional training for pilots who were licensed for other 737 series machines. According to the AP, additional training would increase the price of each new machine by up to one million US dollars.

“Forkner did not report vital information to Boeing in an effort to save money,” said Texas Attorney Chad Meacham.

The Boeing 737 MAX was banned from flying after two fatal incidents. The first took place in October 2018 in Indonesia. Lion Air’s plane crashed into the sea. All 189 people died on board. In March 2019, shortly after takeoff, an Ethiopian Airlines plane crashed. None of the 157 people on board, including four Slovaks, survived the accident.

Among the victims were the wife and children of the then member of the Slovak National Party (SNS) Anton Hrnek. Investigators found that the MCAS flight stabilization system repeatedly steered aircraft sharply downwards in both accidents, so that the crew could not maintain control over them.

(TASR)