Originally Posted by
jcbmack
There are no split-second decisions to make, at all? No novel events not foretold by an AC, flight manual, or computer system? I know the NTSB likes to blame pilots virtually straight away--this I have been told by a few experienced pilots here on PPRUNE, and the same case was attempted to be laid against Sully. I cannot comment on actually flying a B737, but I can guarantee automation failure and other computer-based factors were at play there--just like the detrimental idea of using Lithium-Ion batteries in the 787 was a grave error. I can tell from the information I have access to, which is not all Boeing has, that the software was buggy for the 737 Max and the issue here was system design. There are other systems error examples like Qantas Flight 72, where a malfunction in the ADIRU was found; Lufthansa Airbus A321, had autopilot issues, and when the autopilot was turned off--the nose dropped. The Boeing 737 Max' MCAS did indeed malfunction. Now I think we all know the claimsof William Langewiesche--while not the pilot his father was (author of Stick and Rudder) he is still a pilot, so I did read his statements very carefully. There is ample evidence Boeing downplayed the serious issues with MCAS, the FAA did not look hard enough, and now, we have disparate experts trying to blame the pilots; it is easy for us non-pilots to blame the pilots, but I do know wit years of experience in software engineering, AI/ML research, and talking to seasoned pilots the narrative is not so clear-cut. Sure there are pilot errors, and they get found out, but to blame the pilots and undermine Boeing's sloppy work in the engineering of the upgrades to the 737 Max does a great disservice. These computer systems are not infallible either.
You are making too many assumptions. Pilots are not blamed straight away. The inquiry says it's purpose is not to assign blame. It takes years two publish inquiry report there was no question of blaming Sully. He was faced with something not in the book nor practiced, he landed in water. Had he gone back he would have been blamed because he wouldn't have made it. When majority of accidents are due to pilot error it is a fact of life. Emirates 521 B777 go around accident pilot didn't know his thrust was at idle who should be blamed? PK8303 Karachi pilot did not do a single thing as per procedure, who will be blamed? We as humans have problems in the air. That's why they are called human factors but not being a bird we done a pretty good job. Don't discuss MAX because it should not have been designed. Yes Boeing trying to blame Pilots was nothing short of criminal. It's a jugglery now between humans and computers. If humans make mistake so will computers but it's matter of which is safer. Naturally it's emotional issue with pilots but technology marches relentlessly. Besides aviation is a business like any other. You sell wine, computers, hotel rooms or aircaft seats it's no different it's done to make profit. What's profitable will decide the future. Poor piloting is a bad advertisement for human presence in the cockpit. Take AF447 unreliable speed accident. How was it solved automation. First came back up speed scale now in A350 it's backup speed itself. Pilot does nothing. Computers do it and inform the pilot we are on alternate speed. This is an endless discussion. Piloting is not the only issue. Humans won't be required for most jobs or at least not in those numbers. It's a serious problem.