Boeing's 737 Max Navigation Software Issue Raises Flight-Safety Concerns

US regulators are convening a review board to assess whether a software issue with Boeing's 737 Max navigation system poses a flight-safety risk. The problem, which emerged nearly two years ago, can cause pilots to lose access to automated flight guidance during a specific landing scenario.

The issue affects versions 14 and 14.1 of the software used by the Max flight management computer. When pilots perform a go-around from a precision approach with the autopilot engaged and modify the route programmed into the flight management system, vertical navigation can disconnect.

This leaves the aircraft with a less sophisticated form of automated pitch control, which could increase pilot workload during landing. Major US carriers have rejected deliveries of new 737 Max aircraft equipped with the affected software.

Southwest Airlines and United Airlines asked Boeing not to deliver new planes with the issue, instead requesting an earlier version of the software. A permanent fix is originally slated for 2028, but Boeing is working to accelerate that timeline.