Originally Posted by
RatherBeFlying
By the time a MAX 8 or 9 has made it to cruise, the phase of flight that claimed Lion and ET is long past. And the pax have to land somewhere, preferably within reasonable reach of destination.
MCAS event could happen at any phase of flight. You just need: a failed AoA sensor, AP disengaged (would failed AoA disengage AP?) and flaps up.