Story
FAA Clears Boeing 737 MAX Software Anomaly First Reported by WestJet
Summary
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has deemed a 737 MAX flight computer software issue safe after Canadian carrier WestJet first identified and reported the anomaly to Boeing in 2024, according to a pilot memo.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Friday cleared a software anomaly related to the Boeing 737 MAX flight computer, which was first discovered by WestJet pilots in 2024. The regulator deemed the issue safe following a formal review, according to a memo to pilots seen by Reuters.
Discovery and Reporting
The issue was initially uncovered by pilots from the Canadian carrier WestJet during an entry-into-service validation flight in 2024. According to the memo, WestJet was the first airline to report the anomaly to Boeing, providing the manufacturer with supporting data from the flight.
This proactive reporting from an airline customer initiated the review process with both the aircraft manufacturer and the federal regulator, a standard procedure for identifying and addressing potential fleet-wide issues.
AdRegulatory Conclusion
The FAA concluded a Corrective Action Review Board on the matter, ultimately determining that the software behavior was safe. The memo, distributed on Friday, confirmed the FAA's conclusion, closing the inquiry into the reported anomaly.
For Boeing, the swift and transparent resolution of any software-related flag is critical as it continues to operate under intense scrutiny. The 737 MAX program has previously faced significant challenges related to its flight control software, making regulatory oversight a key focus for the company and its investors.
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