Underfire reported:
While there’s little doubt the pilots made mistakes, a finding that equipment on the 777-200 jet confused them could open Boeing to greater liability in lawsuits and shade public opinion.
An aircraft certified by the FAA is then criticised by the NTSB after an accident. What's an air-framer to do then?
On wonders exactly how Boeing are supposed to second guess the NTSB. It would seem that their first contact with the NTSB on a design issue is after an accident involving one of their aircraft flying with FAA certification.
If Boeing really are somehow dragged into it then surely there can be only one corporate response; no more automatics, other than a rudimentary autopilot. Same for Airbus too. If they are going to be liable in the US for a pilot's failure to fully understand these systems then they're not going to fit them in the first place.
Though surely the NTBS won't make such a finding, will they? I guess we'll find out in due course.