MCAS Simulation

Author: SilaKayo

September 25, 2019

MCAS Simulation

Play this simulation!

We are working on our soon-to-be-released first simulation.

Background

You have probably heard or read about the Boeing 737 MAX crashes of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in the news.

According to preliminary investigations, the crash was caused by the so-called Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), a new feature of the Boeing 737 MAX that was supposed to make its handling similar to its predecessor, the Boeing 737 NG.

About the simulation

We are working on a 3D computer simulation to help you better understand how the MCAS works and how it lead to the crash.

The simulation is made of several parts:

Part 1 takes you to a virtual tour of the Boeing Renton Factory where the Boeing 737 MAX airliners are built.
Part 2 takes you to a virtual engine test room and explains how modern aircraft engines work.
Part 3 takes you to a virtual Wind Tunnel room and explains the role of the winglets on the aircraft.
Part 4 will show you how the engines are attached to the airframe and how they modified the flight characteristics of the airplane.
Part 5 will introduce the MCAS system in more details and explain how it was supposed to make the plane easier to fly.
Part 6 and Part 7 will attempt to recreate flights Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302.
Part 8 will take us back to the drawing board where we will study different proposals on how to improve the MCAS.

Buckle up

We will be sharing frequent updates on our progress, so if you are interested just fasten your seatbelt and follow us on the social channels listed below:

The images above are derivative of "EGLF - Boeing 737 Max - N120IS" by Steve Lynes, used under CC BY.