Boeing 737: Becoming A Flying Coffin?

In less than five months, Boeing's bestselling passenger jet - 737 has recorded two deadly crashes creating a global worry about the safety of the aircraft model and raising concerns about the reputation of Boeing as a company.

Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 dropped from radar 6 minutes after departure from Addis Ababa. The jet is a brand new Boeing 737 MAX 8 - delivered to the airline just four months ago. All 157 people on board a 737 MAX 8 operated by Ethiopian Airlines were killed when the plane crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday morning. In late October, a 737 MAX 8 flown by Lion Air went down off the coast of Indonesia, killing 189 people.

Following the report, China grounded all of its Boeing 737 Max planes. The country’s aviation regulator ordered the suspension following the deadly crash on Sunday of a 737 Max operated by Ethiopian Airlines, killing all 157 on board.

The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range twinjet narrow-body airliner developed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes in the United States. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from the 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of thirteen passenger models with capacities from 85 to 215 passengers. The 737 is Boeing's only narrow-body airliner in production, with the 737 Next Generation (-700, -800, and -900ER) and the re-engined and updated 737 MAX variants also in use.

As at December 2018, number of Boeing 737 built was put at 10,444. Boeing had its best year ever in 2018, and it expects this year to be even better. The company posted sales of more than $100 billion for the first time in its 102-year history because of increases in commercial and military jet deliveries.

In Nigeria, Bellview Airlines Flight 210, a 737-200 (registration 5N-BFN) stalled and crashed shortly after taking off from Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos, Nigeria en route to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, resulting of the deaths of all 117 occupants (111 passengers and 6 crew members) in October 22, 2005.

On October 29, 2006,  ADC Airlines Flight 53, a 737-200 also crashed during a storm shortly after takeoff from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Nigeria. All but seven of the 104 passengers and crew were reported to have been killed.

Recently, Global Air (Mexico), operating on lease as Cubana de Aviación Flight 972, crashed shortly after takeoff from José Martí International Airport, with 112 fatalities and only 1 survivor.

Some passengers across the world have also been calling for the recall of the model for proper check and investigation to ensure safety.