Boeing's 737 MAX 10 Faces New Software Setback
Boeing's 737 MAX 10 aircraft faces another setback as regulators and Boeing investigators work to determine the scope and severity of a new software defect in its navigation system. The issue was identified by Boeing in August, but it has only recently come to light that it could cause an aircraft's automated vertical navigation (VNAV) system to fail during a missed approach or reapproach.
The problem is linked to versions 14 and 14.1 of the VNAV software, which affects all four variants of the 737 MAX series. However, not all jets currently in service are operating with the affected version of the program.
FAA administrator Bryan Bedford stated that 'we haven't concluded whether this is a safety-of-flight issue or not' but added that the certification timeline for the 737 MAX 10 would be delayed until they were satisfied there wasn't an issue. The FAA emphasized that 'safety dictates the certification timeline', and it will continue to investigate the software glitch.
Boeing has already revised its flight-control software following two fatal accidents involving the 737 MAX 8 in 2018 and 2019. The company is working on a software update to address the current issue, but deliveries of the 737 MAX 10 have been put on hold as a result.