FAA investigates software glitch in some Boeing 737 Max jets that could cause issues during aborted landings

September 26, 2026 / 9:32 PM EDT / CBS News

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a software glitch in some Boeing 737 Max jets that could prompt an automated flight guidance system to disengage during an aborted landing, commonly referred to as a go-around.

In rare circumstances where there is a missed approach — and where a pilot is using a precision approach with autopilot engaged and makes changes to their pre-programmed flight plan — an issue with the flight management computer could cause the plane's vertical navigation system, known as VNAV, to disengage and transition to a less sophisticated level of automated pitch control.

The VNAV is essentially designed to automatically maintain the pre-planned altitude at various waypoints along a flight path.

If this glitch occurs, however, pilots will need to take additional steps during their subsequent approach.

The scenario would typically occur in a low-altitude airport adjacent environment where pilots already have a high workload.

"How busy do you want your crew to be?" one airline source told CBS News about the glitch. "Are you introducing distractions at the worst possible moment?"

"Last month, we informed all 737 operators about a software issue where pilots may not…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/