Bend alot,
What if the difference now focuses on trim runway.
The NG in-service, apparently without incident. The Max grounded following two accidents which suggests that the trim runaway drill might be ineffective.
NG no events - ‘successful’ outcome, history; but this does not change the risk of a trim malfunction.
The risk in the Max could be similar if not the same, but with different history. One ‘success’ out of three does not change the system risk, but it could influence the regulatory views on crew’s contributions in recognition and action. Unfortunately the ‘success’ suggests that the Max requires three qualified crew, or conversely reinforces view that two cannot be expected to detect and manage a trim runaway in proportion to severity of the event’s circumstance (risk).
What if … this is the central topic of inter-regulator discussions; who judges, how, when, perhaps after more testing and data to assess.
Meanwhile historical risks are accepted (who bears that risk); future risk - wait and see.