New Glitch Hits Boeing 737 Max, Could Snarl Deliveries

Another software snag has hit some Boeing 737 Max jets. The Federal Aviation Administration is now digging into a glitch that could mess with an automated flight guidance system during an aborted landing, what pilots call a go-around. Basically, a plane’s vertical navigation system, or VNAV, might quit on pilots when they’re already pretty busy. Here’s the thing: in very specific, rare situations—like a pilot doing a precision approach with autopilot engaged and then changing their flight plan—the plane’s flight management computer could act up. If it does, VNAV disengages. That means the plane switches to a less advanced automatic pitch control. Pilots then have to do extra steps during their next approach. And you can bet this scenario usually happens low to the ground, near an airport, where crews already have their hands full. “How busy do you want your crew to be?” an airline source asked CBS News. “Are you introducing distractions at the worst possible moment?” It’s a good question. Boeing told all 737 operators about this last month. A spokesperson confirmed to CBS News that pilots might lose access to automated flight guidance in a specific landing scenario. Boeing says they reinforced existing pilot procedures, and their engineers are working on a permanent software update. They insist autopilot still works even if VNAV doesn’t, and pilots are trained for that.

Airlines Push Back

The FAA is aware. They’re working closely with Boeing and the airlines, and they’ll convene a Corrective Action Review Board (CARB). If a safety concern pops up, they’ll act fast. But Boeing’s initial bulletin to airlines said this wasn’t an immediate safety issue. The problem surfaced in versions 14 and 14.1 of the operating system for the Max’s flight management computer. Guess what? Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have already told Boeing they won’t take new aircraft with that specific operating system. They’re opting for an older version instead. Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, and United all told CBS News their current 737 Max fleets aren’t even using the problematic software. CBS News found out an airline first told Boeing about this in November 2024. Boeing looked at it and decided in February 2025 it wasn’t a safety problem. But then, earlier this year, Boeing got “additional information from operators.” That prompted a formal safety review board. Its findings went to the FAA this month for the CARB to review. Boeing’s original plan was to have a software fix ready in 2028. They’d also issue updated pilot guidance in November. Now, they’re scrambling to speed both those up. This whole thing could further delay certification for the 737 Max 10, the biggest Max variant. It was supposedly days away from FAA certification but is already years behind. It might also delay deliveries of the recently certified 737 Max 7, which Southwest is getting almost all of. Southwest was supposed to start receiving Max 7 deliveries this fall. It’s unclear if that’ll happen now. Alaska Airlines is set to be the launch customer for the Max 10. Remember the two fatal Max crashes in 2018 and 2019? They killed 346 people because of defective software. Then there was that door panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight in January 2024, blamed on manufacturing. Boeing’s Max is vital for its comeback. So, airlines aren’t taking chances. This latest glitch was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. CBS News has also reached out to Allegiant Air for comment.