Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Sep 27: Boeing has identified a previously undisclosed software glitch in certain 737 MAX aircraft that could cause an automated navigation feature to become unavailable during a specific landing scenario, according to company documents cited in a Reuters report.
The issue emerged following a cockpit software update and can occur when flight crews change their planned flight path after a missed approach, the report said.
Boeing said it informed all 737 operators last month about the issue, under which pilots may not have access to automated flight guidance in the specific scenario.
“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 Reuters.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it was aware of a potential issue involving a software update for flight computers on certain Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and was working with Boeing and airlines to assess it.
“The FAA will convene a Corrective Action Review Board and will take immediate action if it identifies a safety concern,” the agency said.
The number of aircraft currently operating with the affected software was not immediately clear. Boeing, airlines and regulators are assessing the issue and determining whether it poses a flight-safety concern.
Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have asked Boeing not to deliver new 737 MAX aircraft equipped with the affected software and instead requested an earlier software version.
Boeing has faced heightened regulatory and safety scrutiny in recent years following two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people and led to the aircraft being grounded worldwide.
The company also faced renewed scrutiny after a cabin panel blew out during an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 flight in January 2024, prompting further investigations into Boeing’s manufacturing and quality-control practices.
The latest software issue is being assessed by Boeing, airlines and aviation regulators as authorities determine the scope of the problem and any necessary corrective action.