Boeing's 737 MAX Software Glitch Raises Safety Concerns

A software glitch on Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft could cause pilots to lose access to automated flight guidance during landing, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The issue is linked to a cockpit software update and occurs when flight crews alter their planned flight path after a missed approach.

In such circumstances, the airplane's autopilot is forced into a simpler level of automation for pitch control, increasing pilot workload compared to the standard mode used. Boeing informed all 737 operators last month about the software issue under which pilots may not have access to automated flight guidance during a specific landing scenario.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it was aware of the potential issue and was working closely with Boeing and airlines. The FAA will convene a Corrective Action Review Board and take immediate action if it identifies a safety concern.

Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have asked Boeing not to deliver new 737 MAX aircraft equipped with the affected software and instead requested an earlier version, according to WSJ. It was not immediately clear how many aircraft are operating with the flawed software.