New 737 MAX glitch raises landing concern
Article excerpt
A Boeing 737 MAX software glitch could disable automated navigation after a missed approach, potentially increasing pilot workload at low altitude. Boeing is developing a fix, while the FAA investigates. Indian carriers using MAX aircraft are closely watching the issue Washington: A newly identified Boeing 737 MAX software glitch could disable an automated navigation feature after a missed approach, raising fresh safety questions for a jet widely used by Indian carriers, The Wall Street Journal reported. The problem emerged from an update to cockpit software. It can occur when pilots change their planned flight path after abandoning a landing attempt, according to the Journal. In one scenario, pilots may have to fly manually without some autopilot functions. Industry officials said that could increase the crew’s workload at a critical stage, when the aircraft is at low altitude and may also be encountering bad weather. Boeing has acknowledged the glitch but said it does not pose a safety risk. It notified 737 MAX operators about the issue in late August, the Journal reported, citing a company document. “We shared information with operators that reinforced existing pilot procedures for safely handling such cases,” Boeing said. “Our engineers are working on a software update to permanently address the issue.” The company is also developing a procedure that would allow pilots...
Keep reading with a free account
The rest of this article, and every signal for Boeing, is in your free account.
Extracted from this sentence
Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have told Boeing they do not want to accept new 737 MAX aircraft carrying the affected software, according to industry officials cited by the Journal.
