Tensions brewing between Ethiopia, US in 737 Max crash probe

Tensions over how to characterize the findings of a probe into an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max crash two years ago have prompted US investigators to consider taking the unusual step of issuing separate comments with their own conclusions, according to people familiar with the probe. The Ethiopian Accident Investigation Bureau said Wednesday it plans to release a final report on the fatal crash of the Boeing jet in the “near future” after lockdowns to contain the Covid-19 pandemic hampered the investigation. The work is in the final stages, the Transport Ministry said on its Facebook page Wednesday, without giving a publication date. The update coincided with the two-year anniversary of the Ethiopian Airlines jet disaster outside Addis Ababa, which killed all 157 people on board. Looming in the background is disagreement over findings in the report, said two people familiar with the behind-the-scenes activity. The US NTSB has been concerned about pilot actions during the fatal flight and how systems on the jet should be described, said one of the people. The Ethiopian report was still being discussed between local investigators and external stakeholders, said a third person with knowledge of the matter in Ethiopia. The NTSB continues to work with Ethiopian investigators “to assist them with completing the investigation, which includes reviewing their draft final report and providing our comments,” the US agency said. “In accordance with the provisions in Annex 13 of the International Civil Aviation Organization, all investigative information will be released by Ethiopian authorities.”<br/>