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American Airlines Group Inc. said on Wednesday it was "unaware" of certain features of an anti-stall system on the Boeing Co's 737 MAX until last week.
Boeing and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued guidance on the system last week after a Lion Air plane crash in Indonesia on October 29, killing 189 people on board.
Lion Air crash cover at Globalnews.ca:
Indonesian divers continue desperate search for Lion Air flight recorders
The FAA warned airlines last week that incorrect inputs from the system's sensors could cause the jet to nose down automatically even when the autopilot is turned off, making pilot control difficult.
The system was designed to prevent the jet from stalling, according to information provided by Boeing to the airlines.
"We appreciate our partnership with Boeing, but ignored some of the features of the Maneuver Enhancement System (MCAS) installed on the MAX 8," said a spokesman for American Airlines.
"We need to make sure our pilots are fully trained in the procedures and understand the key systems of the aircraft they fly."
Indonesian investigators said Monday that the situation to which the crew of a convicted aircraft of Lion Air would have been confronted was not contained in the aircraft flight manual. US pilot unions were also unaware of the potential risks, pilot unions told Reuters.
The FAA and Boeing are evaluating the need to modify the software or the design of the 737 MAX after the Lion Air crash, the regulator said Tuesday.
READ MORE: Boeing publishes 737 Max aircraft bulletin after crash in Indonesia
The spokesman for American Airlines said his airline was still working with Boeing and the FAA and would inform pilots of any updates.
A spokeswoman for Boeing said the manufacturer could not discuss details of an ongoing investigation, but had provided two updates to operators around the world, highlighting existing procedures to deal with MCAS situations.
"We are confident in the safety of the 737 MAX," she said. "Safety remains our top priority and is a core value for everyone at Boeing."
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