A U.S. advocacy group has accused Boeing of hiding crucial information about electrical faults in a plane that tragically crashed in Ethiopia in 2019. The Foundation for Aviation Safety alleges that the aircraft, which went down shortly after take-off, experienced significant issues including an “uncommanded roll” at low altitude.

The Foundation claims that over 1,000 aircraft currently in service could be at risk of similar electrical failures due to production issues. Their accusations focus on the Boeing 737 Max involved in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 disaster, which occurred minutes after the plane departed from Addis Ababa in March 2019. This crash was the second involving the 737 Max model, following a similar incident off Indonesia in late 2018.

A Boeing spokesperson has responded by stating that the company “fully cooperated and provided relevant information to the investigation” following the Ethiopian Airlines accident. The spokesperson added, “We defer to the investigative agencies for further information.”

Both crashes have been largely attributed to a malfunctioning flight control system, which was triggered erroneously due to a sensor failure. This system’s failure contributed significantly to the crashes, raising serious concerns about the design and safety of the 737 Max.

The Foundation for Aviation Safety has made several documents available on its website, which it claims are build records for the aircraft involved in the Ethiopian crash. These documents, allegedly leaked by Boeing employees, are highly technical and detail various problems encountered during the aircraft’s construction.

According to the Foundation, these documents reveal “a clear picture of the confusing and chaotic production operations” at the 737 factory during the time the plane was built. They argue that these production issues may have contributed to the electrical faults and other problems experienced by the aircraft.

The controversy surrounding Boeing and the 737 Max has highlighted ongoing concerns about aircraft safety and corporate transparency. The company has faced intense scrutiny and legal challenges following the crashes, as regulators, aviation experts, and the public demand answers and improvements to prevent future tragedies.

As investigations continue, the claims made by the Foundation for Aviation Safety underscore the need for rigorous oversight and accountability in the aviation industry. The release of these documents and the allegations of concealment raise important questions about the integrity of the manufacturing process and the potential risks faced by passengers on similar aircraft.

The situation remains under investigation, and Boeing’s response will be closely watched as authorities seek to address the issues highlighted by the Foundation and ensure the safety of the flying public.