The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is holding off on certifying Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 until the planemaker resolves a newly disclosed software issue, adding another hurdle to the long-delayed jet’s entry into service, Reuters reported.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said Monday that regulators would delay certification of the MAX 10 until they are satisfied the software problem has been addressed. He did not provide a timeline for the certification process.
“We will be delaying the 10 until we’re satisfied that we don’t have an issue here,” Bedford told reporters at Reagan Washington National Airport.
The issue affects certain 737 MAX aircraft and could prevent pilots from accessing automated flight guidance during a specific landing scenario, according to Boeing. The company said Saturday that it had notified operators and was developing a software update to permanently resolve the problem.
The FAA said the software can increase pilot workload during a go-around, when a crew aborts a landing and climbs for another approach.
The disclosure sent Boeing shares down 6.9% at Monday’s close, reflecting investor concerns that the issue could push back the MAX 10’s certification further. The aircraft is central to Boeing’s efforts to strengthen its position against Airbus in the global single-aisle market.
WestJet, which operates the software on part of its 737 MAX fleet, said it has not experienced any in-service problems and does not consider the issue a safety concern. Three WestJet 737 MAX pilots, speaking anonymously, said they were unaware of problems with the software during missed approaches, a relatively uncommon procedure.
Bedford said the software was supplied by GE Aerospace, Boeing’s jet-engine supplier, and indicated that a fix could be developed relatively quickly.
The MAX 10 is the largest variant of Boeing’s 737 MAX family and has faced repeated delays in the certification process, complicating the company’s efforts to expand deliveries and compete with Airbus in the single-aisle aircraft market.
