FAA delays Boeing 737 MAX 10 certification over software issue

The US Federal Aviation Administration will hold up certification of Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 while a newly identified software problem is assessed and corrected. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said on Monday, 28 September, that the agency would not approve the aircraft until it was satisfied the issue had been resolved. He gave no estimate for how long the delay would last. The MAX 10 is the largest version of Boeing’s single-aisle MAX family and has already faced a prolonged approval process.

Boeing disclosed over the weekend that pilots on some 737 MAX aircraft might not have automated flight guidance available during a particular landing scenario. The company said it had told operators about the issue and was working on a permanent software update. Aviation Week separately reported the software finding and the FAA’s review. Bedford told Reuters that pilots retained control of the aircraft despite the fault, a distinction that matters when describing its safety implications.

The FAA plans a corrective-action review. WestJet, an operator of the software version under examination, told Reuters it had seen no related event in service and did not regard the issue as a safety concern under its operating procedures. United said it was not accepting aircraft deliveries with the affected version. The MAX 10’s approval now depends on technical findings and a verified fix; neither Boeing nor the regulator has announced a replacement date.