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.
A terrifying glitch has been discovered on Boeing's notorious 737 MAX jets that could potentially cause catastrophic issues during aborted landings, according to a new report.
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that → discover → report
The previously undisclosed issue arose during a cockpit software update and can directly affect go-around landings because the automated flight guidance system disengages, the Wall Street Journal reported.
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Journal → arise → landings
This disruption can occur during a missed approach, a rare but possible move that involves a pilot using a precision approach with autopilot engaged.
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autopilot → occur → approach
But because of the glitch in the flight management computer, pilots would have no option but to fly the jet manually without some autopilot functions, the report said.
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report → have → functions
And, according to industry officials, that can lead to overworked pilots who are already dealing with a high-stress situation during landings due to low altitude and possible bad weather.
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who → accord → altitude
The major US aerospace corporation has faced intense scrutiny in recent years, especially after two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people and led to a worldwide grounding of the jet.
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that → face → jet
Boeing was also engulfed in another scandal after a 737 9-MAX jet experienced a mid-air scare in January 2024 when a door panel flew off an Alaska Airlines flight that was ultimately blamed on manufacturing mistakes.
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that → engulf → mistakes
The company notified the jet's operators in late August about the malfunction, stating that it does not pose a safety risk, but certain airlines, including United Airlines and Southwest Airlines, have asked the company not to deliver the new 737 MAX that is equipped with the affected software, WSJ reported.
A terrifying glitch has been discovered on Boeing's notorious 737 MAX jets that could potentially cause catastrophic issues during aborted landings, according to a new report
The major US aerospace corporation has faced intense scrutiny in recent years, especially after two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people and led to a worldwide grounding of the jet.
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that → notify → jet
Workers picking up wreckage from the flight that crashed in Ethiopia in 2019)
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that → pick → 2019
The airlines have instead asked that Boeing deliver jets with earlier versions, the outlet stated.
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outlet → ask → versions
It is unclear how many 737 MAX planes are currently operating with the flawed software.
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planes → operate → software
Boeing said the company is working on getting an accurate count and that airlines must notify them if they upgrade their software, per the report.
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they → say → report
There are currently 2,422 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 9 models flying around the world, according to aviation data from Cirium, WSJ cited.
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WSJ → be → Cirium
Alaska, American, Southwest and United Airlines are currently operating the jet, but said none of their planes have the glitching software, the report stated.
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report → operate → software
Boeing, regulators and airlines are assessing the pressing issue to determine if it creates a flight-safety concern, a company spokesperson told the Daily Mail.
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spokesperson → assess → Mail
'We shared information with operators that reinforced existing pilot procedures for safely handling such cases.
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that → share → cases
Boeing was also engulfed in another scandal after a 737 9-MAX jet experienced a mid-air scare in January 2024 when a door panel flew off an Alaska Airlines flight that was ultimately blamed on manufacturing mistakes
Boeing, regulators and airlines are assessing the pressing issue to determine if it creates a flight-safety concern, a company spokesperson told the Daily Mail
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spokesperson → engulf → Mail
Our engineers are working on a software update to permanently address the issue,' they added.
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they → work → issue
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told the Daily Mail that the agency is also investigating the 737 MAX issue and is ready to take action if needed.
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agency → tell → action
'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.
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FAA → work → Boeing
'The FAA will convene a Corrective Action Review Board (CARB) and will take immediate action if it identifies a safety concern,' a spokesperson said.
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spokesperson → convene → concern
The glitch was first brought to Boeing's attention in November 2024, but it did not appear to meet the company's standards for a safety review at the time, the outlet stated.
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outlet → bring → time
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told the Daily Mail that the agency is also investigating the 737 MAX issue and is ready to take action if needed
Boeing then shared the information with airlines and launched a formal safety review after feedback expressed similar concerns, according to WSJ.
More guidance on the issue is expected to be released by Boeing in November, with a permanent software fix set to be released in early 2028, per the report.
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fix → tell → report
The issue could go on to affect the launch of Boeing's newest 737 MAX models 7 and 10, industry and government officials told the publication.
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officials → go → publication
Delta, United, American and Alaska Airlines have an order in for Boeing's MAX 10 jets, the outlet reported.
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outlet → have → jets
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