The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a software glitch in some Boeing 737 Max aircraft that could cause an automated flight guidance system to disengage during an aborted landing, a maneuver known as a go-around. The issue, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, affects an automated navigation feature that allows planes to maintain preset altitudes during landing. According to CBS News, the glitch is present in versions 14 and 14.1 of the operating system for the aircraft’s flight management computer.
Boeing stated it informed all 737 operators last month about the issue, noting that pilots may lose access to automated flight guidance during a specific landing scenario—specifically when flight crews change their planned flight path following a missed approach. In a bulletin sent to airlines late last month, Boeing indicated that the glitch is not an immediate safety issue. A Boeing spokesperson told CBS News that autopilot continues to function even if the vertical navigation (VNAV) disengages, and that all pilots are trained to land safely without VNAV.
Regulatory Response and Timeline
The FAA stated it is aware of the potential issue within the flight computer software updates and is working with Boeing and various airlines. To address the matter, the FAA will convene a Corrective Action Review Board (CARB) and has pledged to take immediate action if a safety concern is identified. Boeing’s findings from its own safety review board were sent to the FAA this month for review by the CARB.
Internal timelines reveal that Boeing was first notified of the glitch by an airline in November 2024. After a review, the company determined in February 2025 that the issue did not pose a safety risk. However, Boeing launched a formal safety review board earlier this year after receiving additional information from operators. While Boeing’s initial bulletin suggested a software fix would be ready by 2028, the company is currently working to accelerate that timeline and is also working to move up the release of updated pilot guidance, originally scheduled for November.
Impact on Aircraft Deliveries and Certification
The software glitch has prompted some airlines to change how they receive new aircraft. United Airlines and Southwest Airlines have requested that Boeing not deliver new 737 Max jets equipped with the affected software, requesting earlier versions instead. Southwest Airlines confirmed to CNBC that none of its fleet, including new Max 8 deliveries, is equipped with Version U.14.
The investigation may have significant implications for Boeing’s newest models:
- 737 Max 7: This smallest variant was certified in early August with the newest software installed. Southwest was expected to begin receiving deliveries this fall, though it remains unclear if the airline will do so.
- 737 Max 10: The largest variant was using version 14.1 during certification testing. The FAA review could further delay the certification of the Max 10, which was previously thought to be days away from approval but is already years behind schedule.
Industry Context and Safety Record
The current scrutiny follows a series of high-profile crises for the 737 Max. The aircraft family was subject to a worldwide grounding after two crashes in 2018 and 2019 killed 346 people; those accidents were linked to a defective flight control software system that has since been updated. More recently, a nearly new Alaska Airlines Max 9 experienced a mid-air cabin panel blowout in January 2024, which was attributed to manufacturing errors.
According to Cirium, there are currently 2,430 Max aircraft in service globally. While American, United, Southwest, and Alaska Airlines told CBS News that none of their in-service fleets use the software version in question, the ongoing FAA review remains critical as the Max is vital to Boeing’s financial turnaround efforts.
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