A former senior manager at Boeing, who urged the company to shut down the 737 MAX factory, has revealed the fleet experienced at least 13 other safety incidents in the aircraft's short lifespan

Without MCAS the jet would fly perfectly.

Not correct. The stick force per G did not meet FAA certification criteria.

"As the nacelle is ahead of the C of G, this lift causes a slight pitch-up effect (ie a reducing stick force) which could lead the pilot to inadvertently pull the yoke further aft than intended bringing the aircraft closer towards the stall. This abnormal nose-up pitching is not allowable under 14CFR §25.203(a) "Stall characteristics". Several aerodynamic solutions were introduced such as revising the leading edge stall strip and modifying the leading edge vortilons but they were insufficient to pass regulation. MCAS was therefore introduced to give an automatic nose down stabilizer input during elevated AoA when flaps are up."

http://www.b737.org.uk/mcas.htm

/r/worldnews Thread Parent Link - abc.net.au