The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reviewing a software issue affecting Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that can increase pilot workload during a go-around, while certification of the 737 MAX 10 remains delayed pending the agency’s analysis.
What the FAA is reviewing
The issue concerns a flight-management software condition that can affect access to automated flight guidance during a particular landing scenario. The FAA has said the software can increase pilot workload when a crew performs a go-around, a maneuver in which an aircraft abandons a landing attempt and climbs for another approach.
Reuters reported that the FAA is convening a Corrective Action Review Board to assess the issue. The agency has delayed certification of the 737 MAX 10 while it completes its review. Read the Reuters report.
What happens to the 737 MAX 10?
The review could affect the timing of certification for Boeing’s 737 MAX 10, which has not yet received final FAA certification. Reuters reported that the aircraft could potentially be certified later in October if the review does not identify a safety issue requiring further action.
The FAA’s earlier certification work on the MAX family has included detailed reviews of flight controls, system safety, human factors, crew alerting and other safety-critical areas. The agency certified the 737 MAX 7 in August 2026 after additional analysis, testing and design changes. FAA certification statement.
Boeing is working on a software update
Boeing has informed operators about the issue and is developing a software update intended to address it. Reuters reported that additional pilot training could also be proposed as part of the response.
Is the 737 MAX fleet being grounded?
There is currently no indication from the cited reports that the FAA is grounding the 737 MAX fleet over this issue. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the agency did not currently see a need to ground the fleet, while airline officials told Reuters they did not expect the review to determine that the issue presents a safety concern.
What to watch next
- The outcome of the FAA Corrective Action Review Board.
- Any additional software changes required by the FAA.
- Whether additional pilot training is required.
- The resulting timeline for 737 MAX 10 certification.
Sources
- Reuters: US FAA set to convene review of Boeing 737 MAX software issue
- U.S. Federal Aviation Administration: Statement on certification of Boeing 737 MAX-7
- CBS News: FAA investigates Boeing 737 MAX software issue
Last updated: October 2, 2026.
