AINsight: Boeing 737 Max Crashes and Lessons Learned | Aviation International News

AINsight: Boeing 737 Max Crashes and Lessons Learned

“You cannot cut corners on pilot training”

Boeing Training and Professional Services — Boeing training and professional services.

By Stuart “Kipp” Lau • Contributor - Safety

May 21, 2025

Two Boeing 737 Max crashes fewer than five months apart led to a worldwide grounding of the aircraft type for nearly two years. Tragically, 346 people died in the two crashes. Investigators concluded that a poorly designed flight control system and a single faulty sensor contributed to each crash. Today, the story of the 737 Max has reignited a debate on the depth and adequacy of pilot training.

A recent AirlineRatings article by Geoffrey Thomas reviewed the Netflix documentary Downfall: The Case Against Boeing, along with John Leahy. Thomas, an award-winning aviation journalist, and Leahy, an airline safety and training expert with more than 30,000 flight hours, highlighted potential lessons from the Boeing 737 Max accidents.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Stuart “Kipp” Lau

Contributor - Safety

About the author

Pilot, safety expert, consultant, and aviation journalist Stuart “Kipp” Lau writes about flight safety and airmanship for AIN.

See more by this author

Boeing 737 Series

Boeing

Boeing Commercial

AINsight: Build the Bridge before They Leave

“Thirty years of judgment does not fit neatly into an exit interview”

Training and Workforce

back of head of old man

NBAA Taps Interim Head as Bolen Seeks Medical Treatment

S-v-p Dan Hubbard takes the reins with BACE looming

Training and Workforce

NBAA interim chief operations officer Dan Hubbard

NBAA-BACE To Set Stage for ‘Shark Tank’ Type Competition

Alpha Wingman to bring its PitchAv competition to BACE

Training and Workforce

woman pitching in front of audience

Pathfinder Places Loft H125 VR Simulator in Anchorage

With 360-viewing, the device gives pilots a realistic picture of the outside world

Training and Workforce

Pathfinder Aviation Airbus AStar helicopter

Safety, Leadership Development Courses Added to BACE

Course fees include NBAA-BACE 2026 registration

Training and Workforce

NBAA said its 2026 NBAA-BACE Professional Development Program lineup includes four new courses designed to strengthen leadership and safety culture.

CrewBlast Co-Pilot AI Tool Analyzes Candidate Feedback

Reports flag pay, schedule, relocation friction points

Training and Workforce

a computer screen showing CrewBlast

Farnborough Airport Recruits More Operations Trainees

London-area airport is starting its third training program

Training and Workforce

Farnborough Airport

Twelfth Girls in Aviation Day Expects 34,500 Attendees

Events planned across 27 countries and activities include tailwheel build, flight planning

Training and Workforce

Women in Aviation International plans 200 Girls in Aviation Day events on September 19, reaching girls across four continents.