This archive report was first published on 28 June 2020.
On June 29, 2020, Boeing will initiate a three-day certification test campaign for the 737 MAX, marking a crucial step towards regaining approval to return the aircraft to service.
According to Reuters, pilots and test crew members from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing will conduct a series of scripted mid-air scenarios, including steep-banking turns and touch-and-go landings, over Washington state and the Pacific Ocean coastline.
The tests will also involve intentionally triggering the reprogrammed stall-prevention software known as MCAS, which was faulted in both crashes involving the 737 Max last year.
After the test flights, FAA officials will analyze reams of digital and paperwork flight test data to assess the jet's airworthiness.
Boeing had resumed production of the 737 Max at a low rate in May 2020, after being halted in January 2020 following two crashes in March 2019 that killed everyone on board.
