Boeing 737 MAX bug not safety concern, FAA says

The US Federal Aviation Administration said Friday that a Boeing 737 MAX flight-computer software issue that delayed certification of the 737 MAX 10 is not a safety concern after a review.

The problem was found in a cockpit software update and can cause an automated navigation or flight-guidance feature to fail when pilots change their approach to landing.

The FAA said a panel of safety experts reached its conclusion because pilots retain full control of the aircraft and the indications to flight crews are clear and unambiguous. The agency said it could consider action if it receives new information.

Boeing said it would follow the FAA as its engineers work on the next software update. The company also said it would send airlines a bulletin explaining how to recognize and respond to the issue, and that it was working to formalize a procedure that would let pilots restore automated flight guidance if the glitch occurs.

Neither Boeing nor the FAA said whether the certification process for the 737 MAX 10 would be unfrozen. The MAX 10 is the last of four 737 MAX models still awaiting FAA certification to enter service.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford had said Monday that already certified MAX aircraft are safe, but that the agency would delay the MAX 10 until it was satisfied there was no issue.