WASHINGTON: The Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday that a panel of experts had determined a software glitch in some Boeing 737 MAX flight computers poses no safety concern, clearing the way for approval of the best-selling narrow-body jet’s largest variant.
The decision removes a late obstacle to certification of the 737 MAX 10, which has been delayed for years. It should also ease concerns at airlines that fly the MAX 7, which uses the same software and was certified by the FAA in August.
The FAA said the determination by the Corrective Action Review Board that met in Seattle on Friday was based on the fact that “pilots retain full control of the aircraft and the indications to the flight crew are clear and unambiguous.”
This week, the FAA said it was delaying certification of the MAX 10 until it completed an analysis of the software issue, which could prevent pilots from accessing automated flight guidance during an unusual landing scenario. Senior officials at the US regulator were alerted to it in August, nearly two years after Canadian carrier WestJet first flagged the issue to Boeing.
