The Federal Aviation Administration has determined that a software issue affecting some Boeing 737 MAX aircraft does not pose a flight-safety risk, clearing a regulatory hurdle for certification of the 737 MAX 10. The decision came after the agency’s Corrective Action Review Board met in Seattle and concluded that pilots retain full control of the aircraft and the cockpit indications are clear and unambiguous.
The finding removes an immediate obstacle from Boeing’s path as it seeks approval for the largest MAX variant. The software problem had delayed the MAX 10 certification review while regulators examined whether it could create an unsafe condition during a missed-approach or go-around scenario, when automated vertical navigation may disengage and crews may need to take extra manual steps.
Boeing is still working on a software update to permanently address the issue, but the FAA’s review means the problem is no longer being treated as a flight-safety concern. The decision also reduces the risk of broader disruption for airlines operating or evaluating the latest MAX software load, even though the full technical findings of the review have not been made public.