The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a software glitch in some Boeing 737 Max jets. The agency stated it will convene a Corrective Action Review Board (CARB) to review the issue.

The software glitch could cause the vertical navigation system (VNAV) to disengage and transition to a less sophisticated level of automated pitch control during an aborted landing, also known as a go-around. The issue occurs in rare circumstances when a pilot is using a precision approach with autopilot engaged and makes changes to their pre-programmed flight plan during a missed approach. If the glitch occurs, pilots must take additional steps during their subsequent approach.

Boeing informed airlines in late August 2025 that it did not consider the glitch an immediate safety issue. "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 said. "We shared information with operators that reinforced existing pilot procedures for safely handling such cases."

Boeing stated that even if VNAV disengages, the autopilot will continue to function. The company also stated that all pilots are trained to safely land without VNAV. "Our engineers are working on a software update to permanently address the issue," the Boeing spokesperson said.

"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," an FAA spokesperson said. "The FAA will convene a Corrective Action Review Board (CARB) and will take immediate action if it identifies a safety concern."

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines stated that none of their in-service 737 Max fleets use the software version in question. Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have informed Boeing they will not accept delivery of new aircraft with the affected operating system, opting for a previous version instead.

Boeing was first notified of the issue by an airline in November 2024. The manufacturer determined in February 2025 that the issue was not a safety concern. Boeing launched a formal safety review board earlier in 2025 after receiving additional information from operators. The company sent the safety review board's findings to the FAA in September 2025.

Boeing's initial bulletin indicated a software fix would be ready in 2028 and updated pilot guidance would be issued in November 2025. The manufacturer is working to accelerate the software fix and updated pilot guidance.

Why It Matters

There are approximately 2,422 to 2,430 Boeing 737 Max aircraft currently in service globally. Two Boeing 737 Max 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019 killed 346 people due to defective MCAS software. A door panel blew out on an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 flight in January 2024 due to manufacturing mistakes involving missing bolts.

In 2024, the FAA conducted an audit of Boeing’s software development processes and found several deficiencies in its quality assurance procedures, leading to additional oversight requirements. Boeing has faced multiple FAA enforcement actions related to its 737 Max program, including a $250 million civil penalty in 2021 for failing to properly certify the MCAS system. The FAA has previously required Boeing to conduct extensive pilot training programs for the 737 Max, including simulator sessions, after the 2018 and 2019 crashes, as part of its re-certification process.

Timeline

Boeing determined in February 2025 that the issue was not a safety concern.

The 737 Max 7 was certified by the FAA in August 2025 with software version 14. Boeing sent the safety review board's findings to the FAA in September 2025.

What's New

Southwest Airlines has ordered 340 Boeing 737 Max aircraft, making it the largest operator of the type in the U.S. with over 100 of them currently in service. Southwest Airlines is airline of the United States. Southwest Airlines has historically been one of the most vocal critics of Boeing’s handling of the 737 Max issues, having grounded its entire fleet of the aircraft in 2019 following the two crashes.

Boeing’s 737 Max 10 variant had been delayed for over three years prior to this latest software issue, with its initial certification date pushed back multiple times due to regulatory scrutiny and technical challenges.

How Sources Differ

The FAA spokesperson stated that the agency 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 Boeing spokesperson stated that engineers are working on a software update to permanently address the issue.