If there had been one crash in the EU or US, it would have been grounded immediately. Especially on land. Lion Air were a convenient scapegoat given their past history, Boeing PR hardly needed to do anything. When the first crash happened many people even here on HN were convinced it was the fault of Lion Air, even after the MCAS system had been exposed.
Ultimately I think EASA deserves a little bit more blame. You can somewhat understand the FAA having a bias towards their own national aircraft maker, but what the hell was EASA doing? They were supposed to be the check against that kind of nationalist bias, but they were just as deferential as the FAA.
Ultimately I think EASA deserves a little bit more blame. You can somewhat understand the FAA having a bias towards their own national aircraft maker, but what the hell was EASA doing? They were supposed to be the check against that kind of nationalist bias, but they were just as deferential as the FAA.