Boeing finds software glitch in automated flight guidance system of MAX planes

Boeing has detected a software issue in some of its B737 MAX planes that could result in disengagement of the automated flight guidance system after a missed landing approach, and the aircraft maker is working on a permanent solution, according to sources.

In India, there are around 96 Boeing 737 MAX planes operated by Air India Express (53 aircraft) and Akasa Air (43).

“Last month, we informed all 737 operators about a software issue where pilots may experience a reduction in automation during a landing scenario. We shared information with operators that reinforced existing pilot procedures for safely handling such cases,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

Boeing has issued an advisory to operators to reset the system following a missed approach as a precautionary measure to address the issue, sources said.

“We are closely coordinating with Boeing and can confirm that there is no impact to the safety of Akasa Air operations. Our aircraft continue to operate safely in accordance with established procedures and applicable regulatory requirements,” an airline spokesperson said in a statement.

However, the carrier did not specifically mention whether any of its Boeing 737 MAX planes have been impacted due to the issue. There was no response from Air India Express.

There was no immediate response from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation on whether it was probing the issue and whether any advisory was issued to airlines.

Globally, Boeing has delivered more than 2,400 B737 MAX planes to various airlines.

Earlier this week, European aircraft major Airbus detected a quality issue with the surface-protection coating on the fuselage of a significant number of narrow-body A321 neo planes, and around a dozen such aircraft operated by IndiGo were also impacted, according to sources.

IndiGo and Air India operate around 190 such aircraft.