The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has determined that a software glitch affecting some Boeing 737 MAX flight computers does not pose a safety concern, removing a significant regulatory obstacle for Boeing’s delayed 737 MAX 10.
The decision came Friday, October 2, after an FAA expert panel reviewed the issue in Seattle. The agency said its Corrective Action Review Board concluded that pilots retain full control of the aircraft and receive clear and unambiguous information from the flight deck if the problem occurs.
The finding is significant for Boeing because the MAX 10 has been waiting for certification for years and the software issue had become a late hurdle in that process.
What Was the Software Problem?
The issue involves software installed on certain Boeing 737 MAX flight computers.
Under a specific and unusual landing scenario, the problem could prevent pilots from accessing automated flight guidance, particularly the automated vertical-navigation function.
The FAA had also warned that the affected software could increase pilot workload during a go-around — a situation in which pilots discontinue a landing attempt, add power and climb before attempting another landing.
Importantly, the FAA’s review found that pilots would continue to have full control of the aircraft and that the flight-deck indications would remain clear.
Why Did the FAA Review the Issue?
The FAA had temporarily delayed certification of the 737 MAX 10 while it analyzed whether the software problem represented an unsafe condition.
The agency convened its Corrective Action Review Board on October 2 to make that determination.
After reviewing the issue, the panel concluded that it did not constitute a safety concern.
That decision removes a major obstacle to the MAX 10 certification process.
Aviation officials now believe certification could potentially happen later this month, although the final timeline remains subject to the FAA’s regulatory process.
WestJet First Reported the Anomaly
The software issue was first identified during an entry-into-service validation flight conducted by Canadian airline WestJet in 2024.
According to a memo to WestJet pilots reviewed by Reuters, the airline detected an anomaly involving the aircraft’s flight computer software and provided Boeing with supporting data.
WestJet said it has received no reports of the condition occurring during normal line operations and indicated that the problem requires a specific sequence of events.
The FAA was alerted to the issue in August, nearly two years after WestJet initially identified it.
Boeing Is Preparing a Software Update
Although the FAA has determined that the issue does not pose a safety concern, Boeing is continuing to work on a software update.
The company said it would follow the FAA’s direction while its engineers develop the next software version.
Boeing is also working with airlines to establish a formal procedure that would allow pilots to re-enable automated vertical navigation if the situation occurs.
The FAA also plans to issue a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin to U.S. airlines and foreign aviation regulators so operators are aware of the issue and Boeing’s recommended procedures.
What Does This Mean for the 737 MAX 10?
The FAA’s decision is particularly important for the 737 MAX 10, the largest member of Boeing’s 737 MAX family.
The aircraft has faced years of certification delays, making regulatory approval an important milestone for Boeing and its airline customers.
With the software issue no longer considered a safety obstacle, aviation officials believe the MAX 10 could move toward certification later in October.
Boeing has a substantial backlog of MAX 10 orders. Jefferies analysts estimated that nearly 1,500 MAX 10 aircraft have been ordered by airlines.
The MAX 7 Is Also Relevant
The software issue is not limited to the MAX 10.
The same software is used on the smaller 737 MAX 7, which received FAA certification in August.
That means the FAA’s determination is also relevant to airlines operating or planning to operate the MAX 7.
Major U.S. airlines had opted to use an earlier software version while the FAA’s review was underway.
What Happens Next?
The FAA’s conclusion does not mean Boeing is simply abandoning the software issue.
Instead, the company is expected to continue developing an updated software version while working with airlines on procedures for pilots.
The FAA will also communicate information about the issue to operators and foreign regulators.
The agency has emphasized that it can consider additional action if new information emerges.
For now, however, the regulator’s expert panel has determined that the software glitch does not present a safety concern because pilots retain control of the aircraft and receive clear flight-deck indications.
A Key Step for Boeing
The FAA decision provides Boeing with an important regulatory development as the company works to bring the MAX 10 into service.
The software issue had temporarily complicated the certification process, but the regulator’s latest determination removes that specific safety obstacle.
The next major milestone will be the completion of the remaining certification process for the MAX 10.
For airlines waiting for the aircraft, the FAA’s decision could help move the long-delayed program closer to entering commercial service.
At the same time, Boeing’s planned software update and the procedures being developed with airlines show that the issue is still being addressed even though the FAA has determined that it does not constitute a safety concern.