Transportation

Multiple nations ground newest 737 aircraft after second deadly crash

Authorities in China, Indonesia and Ethiopia on Monday ordered airlines to ground their Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, The Associated Press reported, after one of the new passenger jets crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 157 people on board.

A spokesman for Ethiopian Airlines told the AP that the airline is grounding its remaining four 737 Max 8 planes as an “extra safety precaution.” 

{mosads}China’s Civil Aviation Administration told the news service that it ordered airlines to ground all 737 Max 8 planes because of “zero tolerance for security risks.” China added it would revisit the situation after consulting with Boeing and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

Indonesia has also reportedly grounded its 737 Max 8s. Director General of Air Transportation Polana B. Pramesti told the AP that the grounding was ordered to ensure safety.

Sunday’s crash in Ethiopia occurred on a flight from Addis Ababa to Nairobi, Kenya.

It was the second time in recent months that a 737 Max 8 has been involved in a fatal crash. In October, the same model crashed in Indonesia, killing 189 people.

Boeing said in a statement Monday that it was investigating the incident, but doesn’t intend to issue new guidance to the operators of 737 Max 8 planes.

“Safety is our number one priority and we are taking every measure to fully understand all aspects of this accident, working closely with the investigating team and all regulatory authorities involved,” the company said in a statement.