Transport Canada on August 28 released a statement that it has completed the validation tests of the updated Boeing 737 Max 8 and that it is now analyzing the results to determine, through its own independent review, whether to validate the proposed changes.
These proposed changes primarily revolve around the aircraft’s Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). The 737 Max 8 has been grounded since March 13, 2019, just days after the second fatal accident – Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 – involving the same aircraft model. A total of 346 people died in the two separate crashes, including the October 2018 Lion Air flight JT610, which involved fatal MCAS errors.
“The Government of Canada remains committed to keeping Canadians, the travelling public,and the transportation system safe and secure,” said Marc Garneau, Canada’s Minister of Transport, describing the completion of Transport Canada’s updated 737 Max 8 validation tests.
Garneau explains Transport Canada continues to work with the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and civil aviation authorities in Europe and Brazil throughout the 737 Max 8 validation process.
“Transport Canada will not lift the flight restrictions on the Boeing 737 Max 8 until the department is fully satisfied that all safety concerns have been addressed by the manufacturer and the FAA, and that enhanced flight crew procedures and training are in place,” said Garneau.
From August 23 to 25, Transport Canada’s flight test crew were flown to Seattle, Washington, to conduct evaluations on the engineering simulator at the Boeing facility and then at the end of each test day, were flown back to Vancouver. The flight test evaluations took place on August 26 and 27 in U.S. airspace using the Boeing test aircraft. Transport Canada states it is the first international regulator to complete validation testing activities of the aircraft.
Transport Canada this fall will participate in what it describes as a Joint Operational Evaluation Board, which is made up of representatives from global certification authorities. The results of the Board will be used to establish the minimum training requirements for the return to service of the 737 Max 8 aircraft.
