FAA clears path for Boeing 737 MAX 10 certification after software review
The FAA's Corrective Action Review Board in Seattle determined a flight-computer anomaly on the Boeing 737 MAX does not pose an operational safety risk, removing a late obstacle to certification of the larger 737 MAX 10 variant.
The Federal Aviation Administration has ruled that a computer anomaly in the Boeing 737 MAX flight computers poses no risk to operational safety. The decision removes a last-minute obstacle to approval of the 737 MAX 10, the largest-capacity variant in Boeing's narrowbody programme.
The FAA's Corrective Action Review Board made the determination in Seattle. According to the authority, the analysis concluded the fault does not compromise safety: pilots retain full control of the aircraft throughout the event, and the indications and instruments available to the flight crew are clear.
Earlier in the week the regulator had paused 737 MAX 10 certification while the computer system was assessed. The anomaly could have prevented pilots from accessing automated flight guidance during an unusual landing scenario.
The review also described how the aircraft behaves during specific procedures. The FAA said one software version can increase pilot workload during a go-around, in which the pilot aborts a landing, applies power and climbs for another approach. Major US airlines had opted not to use that version while the analysis was under way.
The decision also eases uncertainty for operators of the 737 MAX 7.
Sources
- aviacionaldia.comLa FAA despeja el camino para la certificación del Boeing 737 MAX 10 tras descartar riesgos en el software de vuelo