FAA Clears Boeing 737 MAX Software Glitch, Paving Way for MAX 10 Certification
- Following a thorough review, a panel of FAA safety experts on Friday determined a software issue in certain Boeing 737 MAX flight computers is not a safety concern,...
- The FAA Corrective Action Review Board met in Seattle on October 2, 2026, to evaluate the anomaly after Boeing flagged the issue in September 2026.
- Canadian carrier WestJet first flagged the issue to Boeing in 2024 after discovering the anomaly during an entry-into-service test flight, according to a staff memo cited by Reuters.
Following a thorough review, a panel of FAA safety experts on Friday determined a software issue in certain Boeing 737 MAX flight computers is not a safety concern, Reuters reported on October 2. The Federal Aviation Administration determined that a newly discovered software glitch on select Boeing 737 Max aircraft does not pose a flight-safety issue, clearing a major hurdle for the certification of the 737 Max 10.
Corrective Action Review Board Clears Flight Computers
The FAA Corrective Action Review Board met in Seattle on October 2, 2026, to evaluate the anomaly after Boeing flagged the issue in September 2026. According to the FAA, the review board determined the glitch is not a safety hazard because pilots retain full control of the aircraft and indications to the flight crew remain clear and unambiguous. Reuters reported that the software anomaly could prevent pilots from accessing automated flight guidance during an unusual landing scenario, specifically after a missed approach when a pilot alters a preprogrammed flight path.
WestJet Discovery Triggers Regulatory Analysis
Canadian carrier WestJet first flagged the issue to Boeing in 2024 after discovering the anomaly during an entry-into-service test flight, according to a staff memo cited by Reuters. The memo noted that the vertical navigation mode, which automates a plane’s vertical flight path, disengaged during approach. WestJet uses the affected U14.1 software on its MAX jets and expects to take delivery of the MAX 10 early next year. The airline stated in its memo that it has received no reports of this condition occurring during normal line operations.
Airlines Revert to Older Software Versions
Major U.S. airlines stated they were not affected by the glitch because they could revert to older versions of the software while the FAA analysis was underway. Boeing said it is working with airlines to formalize a procedure that will allow pilots to re-enable automated vertical navigation if the situation occurs, while engineers work on the next software update. The FAA announced plans to issue a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin to U.S. airlines and foreign regulators to ensure operators know how to recognize and respond to the issue.
MAX 10 Certification Expected This Month
The FAA determination removes the final obstacle to certification for the 737 Max 10, the largest variant in Boeing’s best-selling narrow-body family. Aviation officials now believe the Max 10 could be certified as soon as later in October 2026. Jefferies estimated in a research note that Boeing has nearly 1,500 MAX 10s on order from carriers including Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and Ryanair.