The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a software glitch in some Boeing 737 Max jets that could cause an automated flight guidance system to disengage during an aborted landing, known as a go-around. This issue affects versions 14 and 14.1 of the flight management computer's operating system and can occur when pilots make changes to their pre-programmed flight plan during a precision approach with autopilot engaged. Boeing is working on a software update but has not deemed it an immediate safety concern, while airlines like Southwest and United are opting for previous versions of the software in new deliveries.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-27,
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.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a software glitch in some
that could prompt an automated flight guidance system to disengage during an aborted landing, commonly referred to as a go-around.
uncertain
that → investigate → around
In rare circumstances where there is a missed approach — and where a pilot is using a precision approach with autopilot engaged and makes changes to their pre-programmed flight plan — an issue with the flight management computer could cause the plane's vertical navigation system, known as VNAV, to disengage and transition to a less sophisticated level of automated pitch control.
uncertain
system → be → control
The VNAV is essentially designed to automatically maintain the pre-planned altitude at various waypoints along a flight path.
asserted
VNAV → design → path
If this glitch occurs, however, pilots will need to take additional steps during their subsequent approach.
asserted
pilots → occur → approach
The scenario would typically occur in a low-altitude airport adjacent environment where pilots already have a high workload.
asserted
pilots → occur → workload
"How busy do you want your crew to be?" one airline source told CBS News about the glitch.
asserted
source → want → glitch
"Are you introducing distractions at the worst possible moment?"
asserted
you → introduce → moment
"Last month, we informed all 737 operators about a software issue where pilots may not have access to automated flight guidance during a specific landing scenario," a Boeing spokesperson told CBS News in a statement.
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spokesperson → inform → statement
"We shared information with operators that reinforced existing pilot procedures for safely handling such cases.
asserted
that → share → cases
Our engineers are working on a software update to permanently address the issue."
asserted
engineers → work → issue
The Boeing spokesperson said that even if VNAV disengages, autopilot will continue to function, adding that all pilots are trained to safely land without VNAV.
In a bulletin sent to airlines late last month, Boeing told operators the glitch is not an immediate safety issue.
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glitch → say → operators
It surfaced in versions 14 and 14.1 of the operating system for the Max's flight management computer.
asserted
It → surface → computer
"The FAA is aware of a potential issue in a software update for the flight computers on certain Boeing 737 MAX airplanes and is working closely with Boeing and the airlines," the FAA told CBS News in a statement.
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FAA → work → statement
"The FAA will convene a Corrective Action Review Board (CARB) and will take immediate action if it identifies a safety concern."
Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have informed Boeing they will not accept delivery of new aircraft with that operating system, instead opting for a previous version.
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they → convene → version
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest and United told CBS News none of their in-service 737 Max fleets use the software version in question.
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none → tell → question
CBS News has learned Boeing was first told of the issue by an airline in November 2024.
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Boeing → learn → November
The company reviewed it and determined in February 2025 that it was not a safety issue.
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it → review → February
However, Boeing received what a source described as "additional information from operators" earlier this year that prompted the manufacturer to launch a formal safety review board.
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that → receive → board
The board's findings were sent to the FAA this month and will be reviewed by CARB.
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findings → send → CARB
Boeing's initial bulletin told airlines a software fix would be ready sometime in 2028 and it would issue updated guidance about procedures for pilots to follow in November.
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pilots → tell → November
The company is working to accelerate both of those efforts.
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company → work → efforts
The FAA review could further delay the certification of the 737 Max 10, the fourth and largest variant of the Max.
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review → delay → Max
The Max 10 was thought to be days away from achieving FAA certification, but years behind schedule.
asserted
Max → think → schedule
The issue could also delay deliveries of the recently certified 737 Max 7.
uncertain
issue → delay → Max
Nearly the entire order book for that aircraft is going to Southwest.
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book → go → Southwest
The plane has been the subject of
in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people due to defective software, and it experienced a mid-flight door panel blowout in January 2024 that was blamed on manufacturing mistakes.
asserted
that → kill → mistakes
It is notable that several U.S. airlines appear to be taking a trust-but-verify approach to Boeing on the issue, having been stung by groundings and delays due to previous Boeing mistakes on the Max.
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airlines → appear → Max
The Max 7 was certified with software version 14, while the Max 10 was using version 14.1 during its certification testing.
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Max → certify → testing
Southwest was set to start receiving Max 7 deliveries this fall.
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Southwest → set → deliveries
It is unclear if the airline will take delivery at this time, while Alaska Airlines is supposed to be the launch customer for the Max 10.
uncertain
Airlines → take → Max
The software glitch was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
asserted
glitch → report → Journal
CBS News has also reached out to Allegiant Air for comment, which also operates the 737 Max.
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which → reach → Max
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