Story perspectives

FAA Reviews Boeing 737 MAX Software Fault, Demands Fixes

By Drooid · Sep 28, 2026, 2:09 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The FAA is reviewing a Boeing 737 MAX flight-management software fault.
Versions 14 and 14.1 can disengage VNAV during a go-around.
Southwest and United said they will not accept new jets with the fault.
The FAA will convene a Corrective Action Review Board and act immediately if safety concerns arise.
Boeing aims to accelerate a permanent software update originally planned for 2028.

History

Historical Context

The FAA’s current Corrective Action Review Board echoes its 2019 decision to ground the 737 MAX after the Lion Air (Oct 2018) and Ethiopian (Mar 2019) crashes that killed 346 people and halted 387 jets. A similar safety trigger re-emerged in Jan 2024 when the agency grounded 171 MAX-9s over a door-plug fault, prompting Southwest and United to reject deliveries.

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Story summary

The FAA is reviewing a Boeing 737 MAX flight-management software fault.
Versions 14 and 14.1 can disengage VNAV during a go-around.
Southwest and United said they will not accept new jets with the fault.
The FAA will convene a Corrective Action Review Board and act immediately if safety concerns arise.
Boeing aims to accelerate a permanent software update originally planned for 2028.

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