Toward Compatibility in Aeromobility

Past accidents with the Boeing 737 MAX have brought to light the dynamics behind the development of aviation technology and how these impact different stakeholders in the aviation industry, which is known for its siloing practices. Using the investigation of the tragic accident of Lion Air 610 as an exploratory case, we reveal how different forces in the aerospace industry are shaping the ongoing narrative of the Boeing 737 MAX. One way of examining this narrative is through the perspective of distributed situation awareness (DSA). We then argue that focusing on ethnographic storytelling to investigate DSA can highlight compatibility between different groups in aviation. We seek to cultivate more curiosity across seemingly incompatible fields in mobility: for social scientists to explore the world of air transport standards and safety, and for aviation professionals to recognize the value of ethnographic approaches in such studies.