FAA Clears Boeing 737 MAX Software Issue, Paves Way for MAX 10 Certification

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has cleared a software issue affecting Boeing's 737 MAX flight computers, removing a major hurdle for certification of the 737 MAX 10. The decision was made after an expert panel found that pilots would retain full control of the aircraft and receive clear warnings if the issue occurred.

The software problem could prevent pilots from using automated flight guidance during a specific landing situation. However, according to the FAA, this would not pose a safety concern as pilots would still have control over the aircraft. The decision removes a major hurdle for certification of the 737 MAX 10, which has faced delays for years.

The issue was first discovered by Canadian airline WestJet nearly two years ago during an entry-into-service test flight. The airline said that very few occurrences of the condition have been reported because it requires a specific sequence of events.