New Delhi : Boeing has identified a software issue in some 737 MAX aircraft that could cause automated flight guidance to disengage during a specific landing scenario. In a statement to Reuters, a Boeing spokesperson said it informed all 737 operators about the issue last month and is working on a software update to permanently address the glitch.
“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. Akasa Air said it was coordinating with Boeing and that the issue had no impact on the safety of its operations. The airline did not specify whether any of its 737 MAX aircraft had been affected.
The development came amid heightened scrutiny of Boeing aircraft in India following the June 2025 Air India crash in Ahmedabad, and subsequent safety checks and incidents involving the airline’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner fleet. The issue emerged from a cockpit software update and can occur when flight crews alter their planned flight path after a missed approach, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Boeing documents.
The company is working on a permanent software update, while existing procedures are in place to help pilots safely manage the situation. Boeing’s autopilot glitch came after the crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad in June 2025, which killed 260 people. Following the crash, the DGCA mandated safety and pre-flight maintenance checks for all Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft operated by Indian airlines.
The fuel-control switch regulates the flow of fuel to the aircraft’s engines. The crew had reported that the switch twice failed to remain positively latched in the “run” position when light vertical pressure was applied during engine start-up. It remained stable on the third attempt and the flight was completed without incident. These incidents involve the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and are separate from the latest software issue affecting certain 737 MAX aircraft.
Read Also : CJP Leader Challenges Himanta After Detention, Invokes ‘Assam Cockroaches’