Boeing 737 Max: FAA probes software glitch in flight guidance system

The VNAV situation

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently looking into a software glitch affecting some Boeing 737 Max jets. In specific scenarios where a pilot attempts an aborted landing—also known as a go-around—the plane’s automated vertical navigation system (VNAV) can randomly disengage.

VNAV is the tech meant to handle altitude at different waypoints automatically. If it cuts out during an aborted landing, the plane switches to a less advanced form of pitch control, forcing pilots to step in and handle things manually. Since this usually happens at low altitudes when pilots already have a massive workload, the extra stress is lowkey a major headache. One airline source even asked, "How busy do you want your crew to be? Are you introducing distractions at the worst possible moment?"

Boeing's response

Boeing claims the glitch isn't an immediate safety threat. A spokesperson noted that even if VNAV cuts out, the main autopilot stays online and pilots are already trained to land without VNAV anyway. The company told airlines about the issue last month and is working on a permanent software update to fix it.

Behind the scenes, the timeline is interesting. Boeing reportedly first heard about the issue back in November 2024 but initially decided it wasn't a safety risk. It wasn't until they got more intel from operators earlier this year that they launched a formal safety review.

What this means for you

Major carriers like Southwest, United, American, and Alaska Airlines confirmed that their current fleets aren't using the buggy software version. In fact, Southwest and United are playing it safe and refusing to accept any new jets with the problematic operating system, opting for older, proven versions instead.

This could be a massive L for Boeing's bottom line. The FAA’s deep dive could stall the long-awaited certification of the 737 Max 10 and delay deliveries of the Max 7. Given Boeing’s past history with the Max program, airlines are clearly taking a "trust but verify" approach to keep the vibes on their flights secure.