RE ability of crew to recover from MCAS
Ethiopian MAX Crash Simulator Scenario Stuns Pilots
May 10, 2019
This was in Aviation daily on May 10, 2019
https://aviationweek.com/commercial-...o-stuns-pilots
And a partial extract
This is important because the test pilots had recreated the Ethiopian flight in a simulator and took the plane to an altitude of 10K and speed at 250kt before activating the malfunction. These test pilots were briefed about MCAS and were ready to try and regain control of the plane. Here are their findings under controlled conditions.
1) It took them 40 seconds and a loss of 8000ft before recovering. The two crashes did not reach 8000ft and their speed was over 300kt due to MCAS keep pushing the nose down. They did not have the height and with over speed using manual trim was difficult if not impossible
2) Neither crew nor the airlines were told of the MCAS system and their resulting effects if MCAS is activated.
3) MCAS should be on the MEL but it is not.
4) Data comes from one vane but should be two or more to make it double or triple redundant.
Based on the above findings, both crashes were non recoverable especially with MCAS working on a 10 seconds on and 5 seconds off cycle.