US: Pilots union warns of possible 'safety deficiency' in Boeing 737 MAX

The Air Line Pilots Association told US safety regulators Thursday the union was concerned about “a potential, significant aviation system safety deficiency” in the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, one of which crashed last month in Indonesia. Boeing and the US FAA issued guidance about the 737 Max’s aviation system last week after a Lion Air jet crashed in Indonesia on Oct. 29, killing all 189 people on board. But the pilots union’s president, Tim Canoll, said in a letter to the FAA and NTSB made public on Thursday that “the lack of critical safety information being provided to the air carriers and frontline operators is concerning.” Boeing, asked for comment on the letter, said it was “taking every measure to fully understand all aspects of this incident, working closely with the investigating team and all regulatory authorities involved.” The company added that it was “confident in the safety of the 737 MAX.” ALPA, the largest US pilots union, represents 61,000 pilots at 34 airlines in the United States and Canada. Its letter said that it wants agencies working with Boeing “to communicate all relevant information to the operators to ensure the continued safe operation of this aircraft.”<br/>