The flight system on the Boeing 737 Max

Angle of attack sensor

Shows how far the plane is pointed up or down. Gave wrong readings before Lion Air crash

Horizontal stabilisers

Adjusted by autopilot’s MCAS system

New engines

The LEAP engines are designed for greater range and efficiency - but are heavier and need to be fixed further forward on the wing

What is MCAS?

Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System: software to counter higher risk of stall due to position of 737 Max engines. Computer automatically tilts the plane’s nose downwards, a feature implicated in the Lion Air crash

737 Max 8

Length

39.52m

Passengers

210 max configuration

Height

12.3m

Wing span

35.9m

Angle of attack sensor

Shows how far the plane is pointed up or down. Gave wrong readings before Lion Air crash

Horizontal stabilisers

Adjusted by autopilot’s MCAS system

737 Max 8

Length

39.52m

Wing span

35.9m

What is MCAS?

Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System: software to counter higher risk of stall due to position of 737 Max engines. Computer automatically tilts the plane’s nose downwards, a feature implicated in the Lion Air crash

New engines

The LEAP engines are designed for greater range and efficiency - but are heavier and need to be fixed further forward on the wing

Height 12.3m

Passengers

210 max configuration