Boeing identifies software issue on some 737 MAX aircraft affecting automated flight guidance

Boeing said it had notified operators about the issue last month and was working on a permanent fix. (AP photo)

Boeing has found a previously undisclosed software problem on some 737 MAX aircraft that could leave pilots without automated flight guidance during a particular landing situation, Wall Street Journal reported citing company documents. The problem is linked to a cockpit software update and can arise when pilots change the aircraft's planned route after a missed approach. In such a situation, an automated navigation feature may stop working during the subsequent landing attempt. Boeing said it had notified operators about the issue last month and was working on a permanent fix. "We shared information with operators that reinforced existing pilot procedures for safely handling such cases. Our engineers are working on a software update to permanently address the issue," Boeing said in an emailed statement to news agency Reuters. FAA reviewing potential safety issue The US Federal Aviation Administration said it was aware of the problem involving a software update for flight computers installed on certain 737 MAX aircraft. "The FAA will convene a Corrective Action Review Board and will take immediate action if it identifies a safety concern," the agency said. The FAA, Boeing and airlines are now assessing how widely the affected software is being used and whether the problem presents a broader safety risk. Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have asked Boeing to hold back deliveries of new 737 MAX aircraft fitted with the affected software, instead requesting aircraft with an earlier software version, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Latest issue adds to scrutiny of MAX

It remains unclear how many aircraft are currently operating with the software in question. The development comes as Boeing's 737 MAX programme continues to face close regulatory and safety scrutiny. The aircraft was grounded worldwide after two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, which together killed 346 people. Boeing also faced renewed scrutiny in January 2024 after a door plug blew out of an almost-new 737 MAX 9 operated by Alaska Airlines during a flight. The latest software issue does not mean that the aircraft is unsafe to fly. Regulators and the company are still examining the problem and determining whether any further action is required.