Boeing, the 737 Max Crisis and Aviation Safety: The Perils of Profit-Driven Engineering

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 title 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. The 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 the failure to treat safety as a top priority can have 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, the law and corporate governance.

Andrew Hopkins is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia. He holds a BSc and MA in Sociology from the Australian National University and a PhD in Sociology from the University of Connecticut, USA. Andrew is an honorary fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers and a life member of the Australian Institute of Health & Safety, where he received a lifetime achievement award. He served as an expert witness at the Royal Commission into the 1998 Exxon gas plant explosion and as a consultant to the U.S. Chemical Safety Board during its inquiries into the 2005 BP Texas City Refinery disaster and the 2010 BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Andrew has authored multiple books on industrial and mining disasters, with his titles selling over 100,000 copies.