FAA Probes Software Defect in Boeing 737 Max That May Disengage Guidance During Go-Arounds

The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into a software anomaly within certain Boeing 737 Max aircraft that may cause the flight guidance system to disconnect during go-around maneuvers. The issue specifically affects versions 14 and 14.1 of the flight management computer operating system.

According to Boeing, the glitch can occur when pilots execute a missed approach using a precision landing procedure with autopilot engaged while modifying their pre-programmed flight plan. Under these rare conditions, the vertical navigation (VNAV) system may disengage, forcing a transition to a less advanced pitch control mode. VNAV is designed to automatically maintain pre-planned altitudes at various waypoints along a route.

If the system fails, pilots must perform additional manual steps during subsequent approaches, significantly increasing cockpit workload. This scenario typically arises at airports with low-altitude terrain adjacent to the runway, where precision is critical.

“How busy do you want your crew to be?” one airline source asked CBS News regarding the defect. “Are you introducing distractions at the worst possible moment?”

A Boeing spokesperson confirmed that operators were notified last month about the potential loss of automated guidance in specific landing scenarios. The company stated that engineers are developing a permanent software fix and reinforcing existing pilot procedures for safe handling. While VNAV may disengage, Boeing emphasized that the autopilot remains functional and that pilots are trained to land safely without it.

In a late-September bulletin, Boeing characterized the issue as not posing an immediate safety risk. The FAA acknowledged the problem in a statement, noting close collaboration with Boeing and airlines. The agency confirmed it will convene a Corrective Action Review Board (CARB) and take swift action if safety concerns are identified.

Major U.S. carriers have responded cautiously. Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have informed Boeing they will reject deliveries of new aircraft running the affected software versions, opting instead for earlier iterations. Representatives for Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, and United told CBS News that none of their currently flying 737 Max fleets utilize the problematic software version.

CBS News reports that Boeing was first alerted to the issue by an airline in November 2024. Although the manufacturer initially determined in February 2025 that it was not a safety hazard, additional data from operators received earlier this year prompted a formal safety review. The findings were submitted to the FAA this month for CARB evaluation.

Initially, Boeing indicated that a software remedy would not be available until sometime in 2028, with updated pilot guidance expected in November. However, the company is now working to accelerate both timelines.

The investigation could delay the FAA certification of the 737 Max 10, the largest variant in the Max family. The Max 10 was reportedly close to certification approval before these issues emerged, despite being years behind its original schedule. Delays may also impact deliveries of the recently certified 737 Max 7, nearly all of which are destined for Southwest Airlines.

The 737 Max remains a critical financial asset for Boeing, essential to its corporate turnaround. The aircraft model has faced intense scrutiny following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 caused by defective software, which killed 346 people, and a mid-flight door panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight in January 2024 attributed to manufacturing errors.

The software defect was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. The FAA noted that the Max 7 was certified using software version 14, while the Max 10 utilized version 14.1 during its certification testing. Southwest was scheduled to begin taking delivery of Max 7 aircraft this fall, though it remains unclear if deliveries will proceed. Alaska Airlines is slated to be the launch customer for the Max 10. CBS News has contacted Allegiant Air, which also operates the 737 Max, for comment.