The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has cleared a software issue affecting some Boeing 737 MAX flight computers, saying it does not pose a safety concern, reports Reuters. The decision removes a major hurdle for certification of the 737 MAX 10, Boeing’s largest MAX variant, which has faced delays for years. The FAA had delayed MAX 10 certification earlier this week while it reviewed the issue.
The FAA said an expert panel found that pilots would retain full control of the aircraft if the issue occurred and would receive clear warnings. The software problem could prevent pilots from using automated flight guidance during a specific landing situation.
Boeing working on another software update
Boeing said it will continue to follow the FAA’s lead while its engineers work on the next software update. The company is also working with airlines on a procedure that would allow pilots “to re-enable automated vertical navigation should this situation occur.”
WestJet first found the software issue
As per the Reuters report, the FAA’s Corrective Action Review Board met in Seattle on October 1 to examine the software issue. WestJet uses the affected U14.1 software on its MAX aircraft and is expected to receive the MAX 10 early next year.
The regulator said the panel’s decision was based on the fact that “pilots retain full control of the aircraft and the indications to the flight crew are clear and unambiguous. The FAA said the software issue could prevent pilots from accessing automated flight guidance during an unusual landing situation.