Posted on 10/15/2021 12:25:57 PM PDT by Oshkalaboomboom
Boeing’s former head technical pilot on the 737 MAX program could face over 80 years in federal prison for his part in the problems that caused two aircraft to crash and grounded the next-generation aircraft for two years.
U.S. attorneys for the Northern District of Texas announced the inditement of 49-year-old Mark A. Forkner on multiple counts of wire fraud and fraud involving aircraft parts in interstate commerce.
According to the allegations delivered in a 16-page indictment, Forkner oversaw the flight technical team, providing information on differences between the 737 Next Generation and 737 MAX to the Federal Aviation Administration. However, during the trial and evaluation process, attorneys say he did not provide key details about the controversial Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS.
The problems began around November 2016, when Forkner allegedly discovered that MCAS would turn on when the airframe was flying at Mach 0.2, a lower speed than previously determined. These speeds are often found during the most crucial parts of the flight: takeoff and landing. The former chief technical pilot then reportedly e-mailed a colleague to confirm the problem, and when they responded affirmatively, Forkner supposedly wrote: “So I basically lied to the regulators (unknowingly).”
If the new technical information about MCAS was published, the federal attorneys say Forkner knew it could cost Boeing in both cancelled orders and penalties. In turn, they claim that Forkner purposefully withheld critical information about the system, which ultimately contributed to the crashes of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302.
“In an attempt to save Boeing money, Forkner allegedly withheld critical information from regulators,” said acting U.S. attorney Chad E. Meacham in a press release. “His callous choice to mislead the FAA hampered the agency’s ability to protect the flying public and left pilots in the lurch, lacking information about certain 737 MAX flight controls. The Department of Justice will not tolerate fraud – especially in industries where the stakes are so high.”
If convicted, Forkner could face up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud and 10 years for each count of fraud involving aircraft parts in interstate commerce. As of the time of writing, Forkner has not entered a plea in court.
The indictment is only an accusation against Forkner and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. His trial continues.
Charges against Forkner are the latest turn in the ongoing prosecution over the 737 MAX and its fatal flaws. In January 2021, Boeing and the Justice Department announced a $2.5 billion deferred prosecution agreement over the case, including over $243.6 million dedicated for victim’s families.
Looks like Forkner is forked...
“The problems began around November 2016, when Forkner allegedly discovered that MCAS would turn on when the airframe was flying at Mach 0.2, a lower speed than previously determined. These speeds are often found during the most crucial parts of the flight: takeoff and landing.”
As I remember, the MCAS could NOT turn on with flaps extended, the most crucial parts of the flight: takeoff and landing.
“The Justice Dept will not tolerate fraud”
Except in elections..
I said when this all started massive fraud happened, it is the only way this plane ever got certified to fly with the single point of failure in this system.
Sadly this guy is just a small fry, but he will be the scape goat.
Boeing higher ups knew and lied…
It is insane, there are execs at Boeing who should be facing 300+ counts of murder in the seconds degree at least… but don’t hold your breath on any of them facing Justice.
Beat me to it!
I won't hold my breath waiting for the execs who institutionalized and profited from a system of lies, sub-par quality and deliberate safety violations to get indicted.
“The problems began around November 2016, when Forkner allegedly discovered that MCAS would turn on when the airframe was flying at Mach 0.2, a lower speed than previously determined. These speeds are often found during the most crucial parts of the flight: takeoff and landing.”
Mach 0.2 is less than 150 mph. Take-off and landing speeds are higher!
So this is not a problem?
If he’d worked for the FAA we would never have learned about it.
The news media would just call it a “narrative”.
Looks like they found their ‘scapegoat’......................
It is the Board of Directors and senior executive team that should be indicted.
This low level clown was just following orders.
“Inditement”???
Lol
“So this is not a problem?”
What is “this”?
Crap flows down stream. Scape goat sighted. Scapegoat sunk.
Meanwhile MCAS would never have been developed if the air frame was ok with the larger engines IMO.
Hopefully he will spill and take some higher-ups down with him.
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