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Boeing has identified a new software issue with its 737 MAX that can disable certain autopilot functions when pilots alter their flight path after missing a landing attempt. This glitch could require pilots to manually fly under challenging conditions without full autopilot support. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the matter, and some airlines like Southwest and United have requested older software versions due to safety concerns. Boeing stated it is working on a permanent fix but does not view this as an immediate risk, noting that airlines can revert to previous software if needed.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-26,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In late August, Boeing discovered a new software glitch on its 737 MAX planes that can disable an automated navigation feature during a missed landing approach. This issue arises when pilots change their flight path after aborting a landing attempt due to a cockpit software update. In certain scenarios, the plane's vertical navigation system (VNAV) disengages, leaving pilots without some autopilot functions at low altitude and potentially in challenging conditions like bad weather.
Boeing informed airlines that it does not consider this glitch a safety risk but is working on a permanent fix. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the issue and could take action if it poses a safety concern. Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have opted to accept aircraft with an earlier version of the software, refusing new planes until the problem is resolved.
This incident follows previous scandals involving the 737 MAX, including two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, which led to a worldwide grounding. The recent glitch has raised concerns about pilot workload during critical moments when manual control might be necessary.
Written for “Boeing 737 Max Software Glitch” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 4 other(s) covering the same event.
Boeing has discovered a new software glitch on its 737 MAX that can disable an automated navigation feature after a missed approach — potentially requiring pilots to fly manually without some autopilot functions at a particularly busy moment, according to a report.
uncertain
that → discover → report
The problem stems from an update to cockpit software and can occur when pilots change their planned flight path after aborting a landing attempt, the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.
asserted
Journal → stem → attempt
In certain circumstances, some autopilot functions can become unavailable, leaving pilots to fly manually at low altitude — potentially while dealing with bad weather or other challenging conditions, according to the report.
uncertain
functions → become → report
Boeing told airlines in late August that it did not consider the glitch a safety risk, the Journal reported.
asserted
Journal → tell → August
“We shared information with operators that reinforced existing pilot procedures for safely handling such cases,” Boeing said in a statement cited by the Journal.
asserted
Boeing → share → Journal
“Our engineers are working on a software update to permanently address the issue.”
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the glitch and could take action if it determines the problem poses a safety risk, according to a senior agency official cited by the Journal.
uncertain
problem → work → Journal
The issue has already raised concerns among some of Boeing’s biggest US customers.
asserted
issue → raise → customers
Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have told Boeing they don’t want new MAX jets equipped with the affected software and have asked for an earlier version instead, according to the report.
uncertain
jets → tell → report
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest and United said none of their MAX jets are currently flying with the affected software.
asserted
none → say → software
Boeing said airlines can return to an older software version, the Journal reported.
asserted
Journal → say → version
Boeing does not yet know exactly how many MAX aircraft have the newer software because airlines are not required to notify the company when they install an upgrade.
asserted
they → know → upgrade
Those disasters involved MCAS, a Boeing flight-control system that could automatically push the plane’s nose down after receiving erroneous angle-of-attack data.
uncertain
that → involve → data
The crashes led regulators around the world to ground the MAX.
asserted
crashes → lead → MAX
The FAA did not clear the jet to return to US service until November 2020, after requiring software, cockpit-procedure, training and other changes.
asserted
jet → clear → software
Boeing shares have fallen roughly 39% since the first MAX crash on Oct. 29, 2018, sliding from $324.59 at the close that day to about $198 as of Friday.
asserted
shares → fall → Friday
The MAX came under renewed scrutiny in January 2024 after a door plug separated from an Alaska Airlines 737-9 shortly after takeoff.
asserted
plug → come → takeoff
Federal investigators later determined that four bolts designed to keep the plug in place had not been installed after factory work on the aircraft.
asserted
bolts → determine → aircraft
The National Transportation Safety Board blamed inadequate Boeing training, guidance and oversight for the failure and also cited ineffective FAA surveillance as a contributing factor.
asserted
Board → blame → factor
After that incident, the FAA grounded 171 MAX 9 planes, stepped up inspections at Boeing and supplier Spirit AeroSystems, and blocked Boeing from expanding MAX production while the company worked on quality-control improvements.
asserted
company → ground → improvements
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