The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has determined that a software issue identified in some Boeing 737 MAX flight computers does not pose a safety concern. The FAA’s Corrective Action Review Board met in Seattle on October 2 to examine the issue. According to the agency statement reported by Reuters and The Wall Street Journal, the decision rests on two findings: pilots retain full control of the aircraft and the indications presented to the flight crew are clear and unambiguous.
The issue concerns automated vertical-navigation functions during an unusual landing scenario. The Wall Street Journal reported that some automated flight-guidance capability could be affected following a missed approach. The FAA panel concluded that pilots can continue to control the airplane and that the cockpit indications do not create ambiguity. The regulator also said it would consider appropriate action if new information about the issue emerges.
Reuters reported that the problem is associated with version U14.1 of Boeing’s flight-management software. The matter was first flagged nearly two years ago by Canadian airline WestJet and was later examined during test flights. Authorities have not announced evidence of a widespread operational failure. The reports describe a technical issue limited to a particular software version and a specific flight scenario.
The FAA finding matters for certification of the 737 MAX 10, the largest version of Boeing’s best-selling narrow-body aircraft. Earlier in the week, the agency had delayed the MAX 10 certification schedule until its software analysis was complete. The panel’s conclusion removes this particular technical obstacle. It does not mean that certification is finished, however. Remaining testing, documentation and regulatory approval steps must still be completed before the aircraft can enter service.
The same software architecture is also used on the smaller 737 MAX 7. Reuters reported that the MAX 7 received FAA certification in August. The review therefore has relevance not only for the MAX 10 but also for airlines that operate or have ordered variants sharing the system. The FAA’s decision means that, based on currently available information, the issue is not being classified as an unsafe condition.
Boeing is continuing work on a software update. The company is also reported to be coordinating with operators on interim pilot procedures that can be used before the update is installed. The FAA is expected to issue a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin to inform U.S. and international operators. Such bulletins communicate technical information and recommended practices and are distinct from mandatory airworthiness directives.
The Wall Street Journal said some aviation officials had worried that the problem could increase pilot workload during a complicated landing sequence. The FAA’s expert board concluded that the concern did not meet the threshold for a safety risk because flight crews retain control and receive clear indications. The finding does not mean the technical behavior will be left unchanged; software work and operational guidance are continuing.
The regulatory assessment creates two separate near-term considerations for airlines. Operators of existing aircraft will need to follow the FAA’s technical bulletin and any interim procedures provided by Boeing. MAX 10 customers, meanwhile, have clarity on only one software review; no new definitive delivery date was announced. Certification and commercial delivery therefore should not be treated as the same milestone.
The 737 MAX program remains under close regulatory scrutiny following earlier accidents and a lengthy grounding. This review concerns a flight-management software matter separate from the earlier changes to the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS. That distinction is important because the October 2 determination applies only to the issue examined by the FAA panel and the information available at the time.
In summary, the FAA found that the software behavior in some 737 MAX computers does not remove pilot authority and does not create unclear cockpit indications. Boeing will continue developing the update, while operators are expected to receive additional guidance. The remaining MAX 10 certification work will determine when the aircraft can receive final approval and move toward commercial service.
