The US Federal Aviation Administration is delaying certification of Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 while it reviews a newly disclosed software problem affecting some MAX aircraft. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said approval will not move forward until regulators are satisfied there is no safety issue, pushing back a long-awaited milestone for the largest version of the 737 MAX family.
Boeing disclosed the issue on 26 September, saying the glitch could interrupt access to automated flight guidance in a specific missed-approach or go-around scenario. The company has informed operators and is working on a software fix. The problem is under review through an FAA Corrective Action Review Board, and Bedford indicated the delay could last days, weeks or longer, depending on the outcome of that process.
The timing is significant for Boeing because the MAX 10 had been nearing certification after years of postponements. The aircraft is the biggest member of the 737 MAX line and a key part of Boeing’s narrowbody programme. The issue may extend beyond the MAX 10, but the immediate impact is on the certification schedule for the model most closely tied to the manufacturer’s current delivery plans.