Flying Blind

Flying Blind by Peter Robison delves into the once-unassailable reputation of Boeing, chronicling its dramatic rise and catastrophic fall. Through a gripping, meticulously researched narrative, Robison takes readers behind the scenes of the corporate giant's most significant gambits and disasters, ultimately unmasking the systemic failures that led to the tragic crashes of the 737 MAX.

Beginning with the evolution of the 737, a flagship aircraft renowned for its reliability, Flying Blind explores the seismic changes within Boeing's corporate culture as new management prioritised profits over safety and innovation. Driven by a relentless quest to surpass its European rival Airbus, Boeing cut corners at every turn, compromising on testing protocols and outsourcing critical software work to less experienced engineers in India, all to expedite the release of the 737 MAX.

The harrowing tale of the two fatal crashes of the 737 MAX serves as the emotional and dramatic core of the book. Robison's account reveals how Boeing managed to persuade the US Federal Aviation Administration to certify the aircraft without mandating simulator training for pilots, an oversight with devastating consequences. The narrative is a powerful indictment of corporate greed and regulatory failure, showing how a revered company's pursuit of profit led to a breakdown in safety protocols that cost hundreds of lives.

Flying Blind is not just an exposé of Boeing; it's a cautionary tale for the entire aviation industry. Robison painstakingly reconstructs the decades-long trajectory that allowed a culture of corruption and complacency to flourish, detailing the internal strife and external pressures that fuelled Boeing's downward spiral. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of corporate ethics, the challenges of modern aviation, and the urgent need for systemic reform.