The Federal Aviation Administration announced Friday that it has concluded a recently discovered software issue affecting some Boeing 737 Max aircraft does not constitute a safety risk. The determination removes a potential obstacle to certification of the 737 Max 10, the final model in Boeing’s flagship aircraft line, as the company works to increase sales and deliveries following a period marked by safety and manufacturing challenges.
Boeing initially reported the software glitch last month, which could impact certain landing procedures. The FAA began a formal safety review of the issue following Boeing’s notification, with the agency indicating Monday that it was evaluating whether the problem posed a flight-safety threat. An FAA Corrective Action Review Board, composed of specialists in airframes, flight controls, propulsion, flight testing, and other relevant areas, convened Friday to assess the matter.
According to Boeing, the issue may emerge following a missed approach when pilots reprogram the aircraft’s flight path, requiring additional pilot actions to engage automated systems on subsequent approaches. However, the FAA concluded that pilots maintain full control of the aircraft and that flight crew indications remain clear, determining these factors render the issue non-hazardous to flight safety. The agency indicated it plans to distribute a special advisory to airlines detailing how to identify and manage the situation if it occurs.
U.S. airlines indicated they would not face operational impacts from the issue, noting they can revert to previous software versions. Despite this, the glitch raised questions about the certification timeline for the 737 Max 10, which industry participants had anticipated would receive approval earlier this year. The FAA previously certified the 737 Max 7, the smallest aircraft in the Max family. Executives from major 737 Max 10 customers Alaska Airlines and Ryanair downplayed certification delay concerns earlier this week.
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