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- The Boeing 737 MAX was grounded worldwide in March 2019 following two fatal crashes, and resumed commercial service in the United States in December 2020 after software updates...
- The crashes of Lion Air flight 610 on October 29, 2018, and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March 10, 2019, resulted in the deaths of 346 people. Both...
- Following the second crash, numerous countries, including the United States, grounded the 737 MAX.
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The Boeing 737 MAX Grounding and Recertification
Table of Contents
The Boeing 737 MAX was grounded worldwide in March 2019 following two fatal crashes, and resumed commercial service in the United States in December 2020 after software updates and enhanced pilot training were implemented and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The Crashes and Initial Grounding
The crashes of Lion Air flight 610 on October 29, 2018, and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March 10, 2019, resulted in the deaths of 346 people. Both crashes were linked too a faulty Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), a software feature designed to automatically push the nose of the aircraft down to prevent stalls. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary report detailed the similarities between the two accidents, focusing on the MCAS system.
Following the second crash, numerous countries, including the United States, grounded the 737 MAX. the FAA issued a Safety Alert for Operators on March 13, 2019, initiating the grounding in the U.S.
The MCAS Software Fix and FAA Review
Boeing developed a software update to address the MCAS issues, aiming to prevent the system from repeatedly activating and overriding pilot input.The update included redundancies and limitations to the system’s authority. Boeing’s 737 MAX Update page provides details on the software enhancements.
The FAA conducted a comprehensive review of the 737 MAX’s flight control system, including the MCAS software, and required Boeing to make significant changes. This review involved multiple simulations, analyses, and pilot training evaluations. The FAA’s Boeing Safety page details the extensive review process.
Recertification and Return to Service
On November 18, 2020, the FAA issued an Airworthiness Directive lifting the grounding order for the 737 MAX, after determining that the safety issues had been addressed. FAA Airworthiness Directive 2020-25-01 officially ungrounded the aircraft.
The directive mandated specific software updates, revised flight crew operating manual procedures, and required pilots to complete enhanced training, including simulator training focused on the MCAS system. american Airlines was the first U.S. carrier to resume commercial 737 MAX flights on December 29,2020. american Airlines press release announced the resumption of service.
Current Status (as of January 25, 2026)
As of January 25, 2026, the Boeing 737 MAX is operating globally with a significantly improved safety record. Ongoing monitoring by the FAA and other aviation authorities continues. the FAA’s 737 MAX Monitoring page provides updates on the continued oversight of the aircraft. There have been no reported incidents directly attributable to the MCAS system since the return to service. Though, in late 2025, Reuters reported on a mid-air panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9, leading to temporary grounding of that specific model for inspection. This incident prompted further FAA scrutiny of Boeing’s manufacturing quality control processes, but did not result in a full