Andrew Hopkins

Boeing, the 737 MAX Crisis and Aviation Safety

Boeing was once a symbol of engineering excellence, a company driven by the innovation and precision of its engineers. However, in the late 20th century, a shift in priorities – focusing on shareholder returns over passenger safety – marked a turning point that culminated in the tragic crashes of two 737 MAX aircraft and the global grounding of the fleet. This book explores how the pursuit of profit compromised safety principles, neglected human factors, and led to critical design failures that no one at Boeing had a complete view of. It examines the specifics of the Boeing crisis and looks at it in a broader industrial and economic context. This book draws from the author’s extensive research on other global industrial accidents, such as the Deepwater Horizon disaster, and highlights the dangers of profit-first decision-making, the necessity of robust safety systems, and the need for legal systems to respond effectively to corporate malfeasance. It demonstrates how neglecting safety as a top priority can lead to massive reputational damage in the airline industry. Written in an accessible style, this book brings clarity to complex issues, and readers will gain practicable insights into how companies, regulators, and stakeholders can better manage the risks of catastrophic failures. Boeing, the 737 MAX Crisis and Aviation Safety: The Perils of Profit-Driven Engineering is an essential read for professionals in the fields of human factors, safety, aeronautical/aerospace engineering, and law and corporate governance.