New Boeing 737 MAX Software Glitch Could Disrupt Navigation Feature
Aerospace giant working on procedure for pilots and software fix; FAA investigation could affect approval of new plane model
- Boeing identified a 737 MAX software glitch that could cause an automated navigation feature to fail in a certain landing scenario.
- Southwest and United Airlines told Boeing they don’t want new 737 MAX planes equipped with the flawed software, some industry officials said.
- The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the issue, which could affect the certification of Boeing’s newest 737 models.
Boeing has identified a 737 MAX software glitch that could cause an automated navigation feature to fail, prompting concerns about a potential safety risk while planes are landing.
The glitch, which Boeing BA 0.65%increase; up pointing triangle acknowledged, hasn’t been publicly disclosed. It emerged from a cockpit software update and can occur when flight crews alter their planned flight path following a missed approach. In a certain scenario, pilots may have to fly manually without some autopilot functions. That, some industry officials said, could overwork pilots while they are already busy, at low altitude and possibly dealing with situations like bad weather.
The aerospace giant, airlines and regulators have been assessing the glitch and whether it poses a flight safety issue.
Boeing notified 737 MAX operators in late August about the glitch, saying that it didn’t pose a safety risk, according to a company document viewed by The Wall Street Journal.
The company said it was working with airlines on a procedure to allow pilots to re-enable the automated navigation feature if needed, and also devising a software fix.
“We shared information with operators that reinforced existing pilot procedures for safely handling such cases,” Boeing said. “Our engineers are working on a software update to permanently address the issue.”
Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have told Boeing that they don’t want to receive new 737 MAX planes equipped with the flawed software, and instead requested an earlier version of it, according to industry officials.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the new 737 MAX issue and will take action if needed, a senior agency official said.
The stakes are high for the American plane maker because its 737 MAX has a checkered safety record and it has been working to restore trust with regulators, airline customers and the flying public.
The narrow-body aircraft is the latest variant of Boeing’s bestselling passenger jet and a major driver of company revenue. But it was grounded for nearly two years after a pair of fatal crashes. The accidents led to intense scrutiny that delayed FAA approvals for newer versions of the jet.
It wasn’t immediately clear how many 737 MAX jets might be flying with the flawed software. Boeing said it was working on an accurate count; airlines aren’t required to inform the company if they upgrade their software. There are 2,422 of Boeing’s 737 MAX 8 and 9 models currently flying around the world, according to aviation-data firm Cirium.
Airlines including Alaska, American, Southwest and United operate 737 MAX aircraft, but they said none of their planes are flying with the flawed software. Industry officials said Boeing advised airlines they can revert to an older software version.
The software issue could complicate airlines’ plans to fly Boeing’s newest 737 models, the MAX 7 and MAX 10, according to government and industry officials.
The FAA approved the MAX 7 for passenger service last month with the new software, the senior agency official said. Boeing Chief Executive Kelly Ortberg has said recently that he expects regulators to soon approve the MAX 10.
The software glitch poses a conundrum for Southwest. The Dallas-based carrier has been waiting years for the smallest version of the Boeing narrow-body jet, the MAX 7, and it has planned to start flying them next year.
Under federal regulations, newly produced aircraft must conform to the design approved during FAA certification. It wasn’t clear whether they could eventually be loaded with older software. Southwest said it was aware of the issue and is engaged with Boeing and the FAA.
U.S. carriers including Delta, United, American and Alaska have MAX 10 jets on order with Boeing. The senior FAA official said the outcome of the agency’s probe could affect the plane’s certification if regulators determine the glitch amounts to an unsafe condition that needs to be addressed.
Boeing said it learned of the glitch from one of its 737 MAX operators in November 2024, but the issue initially didn’t appear to meet the company’s criteria for a safety review. After Boeing later shared information with airlines and got more feedback, the company said it started a formal safety review this month and shared its results with the FAA.
In its fleet notice to 737 MAX operators in August, Boeing said it expected to issue more guidance by November and roll out a permanent software fix in early 2028. Boeing said it is working to accelerate both timelines.
Safety issues are often subjective, and there are differing industry views of the 737 MAX software glitch. The Canadian airline WestJet said: “This is not considered a safety issue, we have standard operating procedures and training to mitigate this type of event.”
GE Aerospace, which developed the software in question, said the company is working closely with Boeing and will support the FAA’s evaluation.
The new flight-software glitch offers a fresh test of how Boeing, U.S. regulators and airlines deal with emerging potential safety issues. Crashes of the 737 MAX in 2018 and 2019 killed 346 people.
In those crashes, a flawed Boeing flight-control system known as MCAS repeatedly pushed down the airplanes’ noses, and flight crews were unable to regain control of the jets before they entered terminal dives.
The crashes resulted in eventual Boeing fixes that added safeguards to the flight-control system. It also spawned efforts within the industry and the FAA to better understand how pilots with a range of experience, training and skills will respond to problems during flights.