FAA to Review Boeing 737 MAX Flight Management Software Issue

Based on · First reported 2 Oct 2026

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is preparing a new safety review of a software problem affecting certain Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, focusing on the Flight Management System Update 14 that can disable vertical navigation mode during climb. The agency may convene a Corrective Action Review Board on Friday to assess whether the issue represents an unsafe condition and to decide on any needed regulatory actions. The review will also determine what corrective measures are required, while the aircraft remain controllable but may need pilot intervention to maintain vertical trajectory and altitude.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford indicated that certification of the 737 MAX 10 will be delayed until the authorities are satisfied with the software solution, highlighting the regulator’s caution over the identified flaw. The issue involves airlines such as Alaska, American, Southwest, United and WestJet, which operate the affected models, underscoring the broader impact on U.S. carriers and the need for a timely fix.
If the board finds the problem unsafe, the FAA could impose new regulatory measures before allowing further certification of the 737 MAX 10.

In this story