5 Years On: Looking Back At The Crash Of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302

Five years ago today, on March 10, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8, tragically crashed near the town of Bishoftu in Ethiopia, just six minutes after takeoff. The crash claimed the lives of the 157 people on the plane. In less than five months, this marked the second fatal accident involving a MAX 8 aircraft. The aftermath of this accident played a pivotal role in shaping the fate of the Boeing 737 MAX series in the years that followed.

The day of the accident

On the fateful day of March 10, 2019, at 08:38 local time, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 took off from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) in Ethiopia, bound for Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi, Kenya. However, within a minute of takeoff, the first officer reported a flight control issue to the control tower.

Shortly after, the aircraft’s Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) engaged, causing the aircraft’s nose to pitch downward. Despite the pilots’ efforts to regain control, the MCAS activated again, worsening the situation. Tragically, the plane crashed near the town of Bishoftu, claiming the lives of all 157 individuals onboard.

The plane involved was the four-month-old Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered as ET-AVJ, with a manufacturer’s serial number of 62450. It was equipped with two CFM International LEAP-1B engines, according to Planespotters.net.

The accident occurred in the wake of another Boeing 737 MAX crash in Indonesia just four months prior, where Lion Air Flight 610 crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the loss of all 189 passengers and crew onboard. After the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash, authorities grounded the 737 MAX fleet as investigations commenced to ascertain the causes behind these two devastating incidents.

MAX’s return

After the global grounding of the MAX series, it was determined that the MCAS system was responsible and that Boeing had to fix the issue. The series was grounded worldwide between March 2019 and December 2020, with some aviation bodies taking longer to recertify the aircraft.

China led by grounding the aircraft after two accidents, making it the first country to do so. This action prompted many other authorities to follow suit due to safety concerns. As evidence emerged indicating similarities between the two crashes, US authorities also joined in grounding the aircraft. These decisions were made despite public assurances from Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg regarding the safety of the MAX.

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was the first aviation authority to recertify the 737 MAX 8 in November 2020. Transport Canada and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) followed suit a few months later. The Chinese aviation authority was among the last major authorities to unground the plane.

After many aviation authorities lifted the grounding and numerous airlines reinstated the MAX fleet, Ethiopian Airlines regained confidence in the plane and reactivated it. In 2023, the airline ordered 20 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The airline currently has 18 Boeing 737 MAXs in its fleet, according to Planespotters.net.

Current issues

The aircraft has returned to the skies worldwide and has proven itself with many incident-free flights. However, the latest issues with the 737 MAX 9 series have plagued the aircraft family’s reputation once again.

In January 2024, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 experienced a plug door blowout during flight AS 1282. Following this incident, Boeing announced plans to enhance quality assurance and controls in producing its 737 MAX 9 aircraft.

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