The regulator says it will not approve the long-delayed jet until a newly disclosed flight-guidance software issue is resolved.
The Federal Aviation Administration is delaying certification of Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 while regulators review a newly disclosed software issue that can affect automated flight guidance during a specific landing scenario.
Boeing said the issue can prevent pilots from accessing automated guidance during certain go-arounds, when a landing is aborted and the aircraft climbs to make another attempt. The company has notified operators and is developing a permanent software update.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency will wait until it is satisfied the issue has been resolved before certifying the MAX 10. The FAA has not given a new timetable and plans to convene a Corrective Action Review Board.
The agency said the issue can increase pilot workload, but pilots retain control of the aircraft. WestJet, which operates aircraft using the software version under review, said it has not experienced an in-service problem and does not consider the issue a safety concern.
The MAX 10 is the largest model in Boeing’s 737 MAX family and is important to the company’s competition with Airbus in the single-aisle market. Certification had widely been expected as early as October.
