FAA Pauses Certification of Boeing 737 MAX 10 Due to Software Issue Disclosed by Boeing

The certification process for Boeing's largest 737 MAX model, the MAX 10, has been temporarily halted following the discovery of a software issue that may impair automated flight guidance during specific go-around procedures. The FAA announced on September 28, 2026, that certification activities would be paused until Boeing addresses the problem disclosed two days earlier. The software, supplied by GE Aerospace, was found to potentially prevent pilots from accessing certain automated systems during a critical phase of landing, increasing pilot workload. Several airlines, including WestJet, currently operate MAX aircraft with this software and report no operational difficulties or safety concerns. However, the largest MAX 10 customer, United Airlines, has refused deliveries of affected aircraft until the software is corrected. Alaska Airlines and Lufthansa Group have also ordered the MAX 10 but are awaiting certification and delivery. This delay hampers Boeing's schedule, which had anticipated certifying the MAX 10 soon after the MAX 7's certification in August 2026. Industry experts estimated certification could have happened as early as October, but the discovery of the software glitch has created further postponements. The FAA will review the safety implications with a Corrective Action Review Board, while Boeing works on the necessary software fix. The incident highlights the critical role of software integrity in modern aviation safety and aircraft certification processes.