Boeing has identified a new software glitch on its 737 MAX that can disable automated navigation features after a missed landing approach, potentially leaving pilots to fly manually at low altitude during critical moments. According to The Wall Street Journal, the issue stems from a cockpit software update and occurs when crews change their planned flight path after aborting a landing attempt. In certain scenarios, some autopilot functions become unavailable, increasing pilot workload at a moment when they may already be dealing with bad weather or other challenging conditions.
Boeing notified 737 MAX operators in late August 2026 but stated it did not consider the glitch a safety risk, reinforcing existing pilot procedures. The company’s engineers are developing a permanent software fix. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating and could take action if it determines the problem poses a safety hazard. Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have told Boeing they do not want new MAX jets equipped with the affected software and have requested an earlier version instead. There are 2,422 MAX 8 and MAX 9 jets flying worldwide. The glitch is separate from the MCAS failures linked to the fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people.
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