, Boeing, the 737 MAX Crisis and
Aviation Safety
Boeing was once a symbol of engineering excellence, a company driven by the inno‑
vation and precision of its engineers. However, in the late 20th century, a shift in
priorities – focusing on shareholder returns over passenger safety – marked a turning
point that culminated in the tragic crashes of two 737 MAX aircraft and the global
grounding of the fleet.
This book explores how the pursuit of profit compromised safety principles,
neglected human factors, and led to critical design failures that no one at Boeing had
a complete view of. It examines the specifics of the Boeing crisis and looks at it in a
broader industrial and economic context. This book draws from the author’s exten‑
sive research on other global industrial accidents, such as the Deepwater Horizon
disaster, and highlights the dangers of profit‑first decision‑making, the necessity of
robust safety systems, and the need for legal systems to respond effectively to corpo‑
rate malfeasance. It demonstrates how neglecting safety as a top priority can lead to
massive reputational damage in the airline industry. Written in an accessible style,
this book brings clarity to complex issues, and readers will gain practicable insights
into how companies, regulators, and stakeholders can better manage the risks of
catastrophic failures.
Boeing, the 737 MAX Crisis and Aviation Safety: The Perils of Profit‑Driven
Engineering is an essential read for professionals in the fields of human factors,
safety, aeronautical/aerospace engineering, and law and corporate governance.
Andrew Hopkins is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the Australian National
University in Canberra, Australia. He holds BSc and MA degrees in Sociology
from the Australian National University and a PhD degree in Sociology from the
University of Connecticut, USA. Andrew is an honorary fellow of the Institution of
Chemical Engineers and a life member of the Australian Institute of Health & Safety,
where he received a lifetime achievement award. He served as an expert witness at
the Royal Commission into the 1998 Exxon gas plant explosion and as a consultant
to the U.S. Chemical Safety Board during its inquiries into the 2005 BP Texas City
Refinery disaster and the 2010 BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Andrew has authored
multiple books on industrial and mining disasters, with his titles selling over 100,000
copies.
,
, Boeing, the 737 MAX
Crisis and Aviation Safety
The Perils of Profit‑Driven Engineering
Andrew Hopkins
Aviation Safety
Boeing was once a symbol of engineering excellence, a company driven by the inno‑
vation and precision of its engineers. However, in the late 20th century, a shift in
priorities – focusing on shareholder returns over passenger safety – marked a turning
point that culminated in the tragic crashes of two 737 MAX aircraft and the global
grounding of the fleet.
This book explores how the pursuit of profit compromised safety principles,
neglected human factors, and led to critical design failures that no one at Boeing had
a complete view of. It examines the specifics of the Boeing crisis and looks at it in a
broader industrial and economic context. This book draws from the author’s exten‑
sive research on other global industrial accidents, such as the Deepwater Horizon
disaster, and highlights the dangers of profit‑first decision‑making, the necessity of
robust safety systems, and the need for legal systems to respond effectively to corpo‑
rate malfeasance. It demonstrates how neglecting safety as a top priority can lead to
massive reputational damage in the airline industry. Written in an accessible style,
this book brings clarity to complex issues, and readers will gain practicable insights
into how companies, regulators, and stakeholders can better manage the risks of
catastrophic failures.
Boeing, the 737 MAX Crisis and Aviation Safety: The Perils of Profit‑Driven
Engineering is an essential read for professionals in the fields of human factors,
safety, aeronautical/aerospace engineering, and law and corporate governance.
Andrew Hopkins is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the Australian National
University in Canberra, Australia. He holds BSc and MA degrees in Sociology
from the Australian National University and a PhD degree in Sociology from the
University of Connecticut, USA. Andrew is an honorary fellow of the Institution of
Chemical Engineers and a life member of the Australian Institute of Health & Safety,
where he received a lifetime achievement award. He served as an expert witness at
the Royal Commission into the 1998 Exxon gas plant explosion and as a consultant
to the U.S. Chemical Safety Board during its inquiries into the 2005 BP Texas City
Refinery disaster and the 2010 BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Andrew has authored
multiple books on industrial and mining disasters, with his titles selling over 100,000
copies.
,
, Boeing, the 737 MAX
Crisis and Aviation Safety
The Perils of Profit‑Driven Engineering
Andrew Hopkins
