US transport chief Duffy sees no safety concern from 737 MAX software issue
BA•Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he sees no current safety concern from a software issue affecting certain 737 MAX aircraft and that the fleet does not need to be grounded. The FAA is holding off on certifying Boeing’s 737 MAX 10 until the issue is resolved.
1. Duffy sees no safety issue
Duffy said the agency had not identified a safety concern from the software issue and saw no need to ground the 737 MAX fleet. He compared the fix to a smartphone update and said the software update had not been flagged as a safety issue.
2. FAA delays certification
Boeing said the issue could prevent pilots from accessing automated flight guidance during a specific landing scenario and that it was developing a software update. The FAA said the software version can increase pilot workload during a go-around and will hold off certifying the 737 MAX 10 until the issue is resolved. The agency plans to convene a Corrective Action Review Board, possibly next week at the earliest.
