They have to justify their jobs, make something new, complicated.
From someone who is supposed to know.....
Apparently an erroneous Angle of Attack sensor causes the computer to think the angle is too steep and starts dialing in down trim. The pilot tries to compensate but safeties in the software refuse to let him. The plane porpoises up down up down then down. (pundit on TV said that also yesterday)
This is happening in ‘manual’ control, not auto-pilot.
All controls are computer driven, even ‘manual’ control. Fly-by-Wire.
There is a workaround IF the pilot is trained to use it. Flipping some switches.
Your summary is exactly right. And as an avionics engineer I can say this design never should’ve made it past peer review and safety analysis. A number of people should lose their careers over that design. We will see if that happens.
I did not work on the MAX but I know people who did. I worked on the NG and that model has a great safety record.
“safeties in the software refuse to let him”
Much like the damn “traction control off” that still limits wheel spin on these new 4x4 trucks and won’t let me power out of a sticky situation like the older trucks. Want to turn off the traction control and fishtail in the rain or snow? Forget about it!!