The story so far
written Sep 27What is happening
Boeing faces delivery delays for its 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 models after United Airlines and Southwest Airlines refused to accept new aircraft equipped with faulty navigation software [1][4]. The Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing a defect in software versions 14 and 14.1 that causes the vertical navigation system to disengage during missed approaches [3][4][6]. This failure occurs if pilots alter a preprogrammed flight path while the autopilot is engaged [1][5].
Boeing notified operators of the glitch in August 2026 [4][5]. The company maintains that existing pilot procedures are sufficient to manage the scenario safely while engineers develop a permanent fix [3][6]. United and Southwest have opted to use an earlier version of the software to avoid the defect [1][4].
What to watch
The FAA is convening a Corrective Action Review Board to evaluate the software defect and determine necessary regulatory steps [3][4][6]. Boeing engineers are working to accelerate a permanent software patch that was originally scheduled for release in 2028 [3][6].
Future operations depend on the FAA issuing an airworthiness directive to address the glitch [11]. Major U.S. airlines are expected to resume normal MAX operations without restrictions once the software patch is published and the NTSB formally closes its investigation into the matter [1][11].
Read the full brief · how we got here
How we got here
The glitch specifically impacts the flight management computer software used in the newest variants of the 737 MAX family [3][4]. The vertical navigation system, or VNAV, is a critical component that automates altitude changes during various phases of flight [3][6].
Regulatory scrutiny of the 737 MAX has intensified following previous safety enhancements mandated by the FAA in late 2025 [9]. The current investigation focuses on ensuring that automated systems do not unexpectedly disengage during high-workload phases such as aborted landings [5][13].
References · 8
- [1]cnbc.com — Boeing flags 737 Max navigation software glitch - CNBC
- [3]migflug.com — Boeing 737 MAX Software Glitch: VNAV and the Go-Around | MiGFlug
- [4]airdatanews.com — FAA reviews Boeing 737 MAX software glitch after airlines reject ...
- [5]cbsnews.com — FAA investigates software glitch in some Boeing 737 Max jets
- [6]v-1x.com — Boeing 737 MAX VNAV software issue triggers FAA review | V-1X
- [9]federalregister.gov — Implementation of Required Safety Enhancements on ... - Federal Register
- [11]flying411.com — Boeing 737 MAX FAA Airworthiness Directives: What Operators Need to ...
- [13]reuters.com — Boeing flags 737 MAX software glitch affecting landing navigation ...