Boeing has identified a software glitch in its 737 MAX aircraft that could impact certain landing procedures, specifically causing the automated vertical navigation (VNAV) system to disengage during a missed approach. This issue, which first surfaced in November 2024 and was formally reviewed by Boeing in February 2025 after receiving additional operator information, means pilots would need to take extra steps for subsequent approaches. The glitch is present in software versions U.14 and U.14.1, affecting the flight management computer of the aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently assessing the problem and has stated it will convene a Corrective Action Review Board to determine if it presents a safety concern. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford indicated that certification of the largest variant, the MAX 10, will be delayed until the agency is "satisfied that we don't have an issue here." This review also complicates the entry into service of the MAX 7, which was certified in August with the potentially problematic software.
The timing of these certifications and deliveries is now uncertain. Several U.S. airlines, including Southwest Airlines and United Airlines, have stated they are not accepting new MAX aircraft deliveries with the affected software versions. Boeing is reinforcing existing pilot procedures with airlines for safely handling such cases and is working on a permanent software update, which was initially projected for 2028 but the company is now trying to accelerate. This issue comes after years of delays and scrutiny for the 737 MAX following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 linked to a different flight control software system.
