FAA Clears Boeing 737 MAX Software Glitch, Paves Way for MAX 10 Approval

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that a software glitch in some Boeing 737 MAX flight computers poses no safety concern. This decision comes after a panel of experts determined that pilots retain full control of the aircraft and receive clear and unambiguous indications during an unusual landing scenario.

The FAA had delayed certification of the MAX 10, the largest variant of the 737 MAX family, due to concerns over this software issue. However, with this determination, the path is now clear for approval of the MAX 10, which has been delayed for years. The same software is used in the newly certified MAX 7 airplane.

Airlines such as Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and United Airlines may have been impacted by a lengthy delay if the issue had not been resolved. Boeing has nearly 1,500 MAX 10s on order from airlines, according to Jefferies' research note.