Certification of Boeing 737 MAX delayed by software bug

US air safety regulators are delaying certification of the Boeing 737 MAX 10 until determining a new software issue poses no safety risk, according to an FAA official. The problem stems from a cockpit software update that can cause an automated navigation feature to fail during a landing approach. Boeing shares plummeted after a Wall Street Journal article detailed the issue on Sunday.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated that while certified MAX planes are safe, the agency will delay the certification of the 737 MAX 10 until they are confident the software issue has been resolved. The FAA will convene an advisory board if a safety concern is identified. Boeing CEO Dave Kelly had previously expected FAA certification of the 737 MAX 10 soon.

The software issue is triggered when pilots alter their preprogrammed flight plan following a missed approach. Boeing plans to release a software update to permanently address the problem. The 737 MAX 7, a smaller version, was certified by the FAA on August 3.