Boeing identified a software glitch in its 737 MAX flight computers that can disable automated vertical navigation during missed approaches. The Federal Aviation Administration opened an investigation and convened a review board as carriers including Southwest and United requested delivery pauses on jets equipped with the affected operating system.
How the Landing Navigation Glitch Triggers in Flight Computers
The software issue surfaced in versions 14 and 14.1 of the operating system powering the flight management computer on the aircraft line, CBS News reported. The defect can cause the plane’s vertical navigation system, known as VNAV, to disengage entirely and transition to a less sophisticated level of automated pitch control during a specific landing scenario.
According to reporting detailing internal documents, the scenario occurs in low-altitude airport environments when flight crews execute a go-after a missed approach and alter their preprogrammed flight path. When crews cycle back around for another attempt, the automated descent profile and flight guidance features can fail to reappear on the cockpit instrumentation panels.
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. We shared information with operators that reinforced existing pilot procedures for safely handling such cases. Our engineers are working on a software update to permanently address the issue.
Boeing spokesperson, via Bloomberg
Airline Pushback and Fleet Delivery Demands
Airlines responded by pushing back against deliveries of new aircraft carrying the updated flight computer software. Southwest Airlines and United Airlines asked Boeing to withhold new airframes equipped with version U.14 and instead supply an earlier version of the operating system.
Major U.S. carriers confirmed that their currently active fleets do not carry the affected software package. Southwest Airlines stated that none of its operating or newly delivered Max airplanes run version U.14. Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, and United all reported that their in-service 737 MAX fleets operate on different software builds.
Regulatory Review Board and Certification Uncertainty
The Federal Aviation Administration responded to the disclosure by establishing a Corrective Action Review Board to evaluate whether the software defect constitutes an unsafe flight condition. Boeing originally learned about the anomaly from an operator in November 2024. The manufacturer initially determined the report did not meet criteria for a formal safety review, but escalated the matter after receiving additional feedback from airline operators earlier this year, CBS News noted. The Federal Aviation Administration said it was aware of a potential issue in a software update for the flight computers on certain Boeing 737 MAX airplanes and was working closely with Boeing and the airlines. The FAA will convene a Corrective Action Review Board and will take immediate action if it identifies a safety concern and that it will review Boeing’s proposed fix. Boeing shares closed about 1% higher on Friday, inching up another 0.2% during the after-hours trade. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the issue with the 737 MAX lineup has prompted an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and pushback from some airlines. Boeing notified 737 MAX operators about the issue in late August and said at the time that it did not pose a safety risk, according to a company document. The disclosure was reported by the Wall Street Journal on September 26, 2026, which cited internal company documents. Boeing had informed all 737 operators in August 2026.
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