Certification Delayed As Planemaker Works Through The Issues

The FAA says it has recently identified another potential risk in the 737 MAX software upgrade that Boeing must mitigate.

The issue was not specified by either the FAA or Boeing.

In a statement posted to the FAA website, the agency said it is following a thorough process, not a prescribed timeline, for returning the Boeing 737 MAX to passenger service. The FAA will lift the aircraft’s prohibition order when it is deemed safe to do so.

The agency says it will continue to evaluate Boeing’s software modification to the MCAS, and it is still developing necessary training requirements. The agency is also are responding to recommendations received from the Technical Advisory Board (TAB). The TAB is an independent review panel we have asked to review our work regarding 737 MAX return to service.

Boeing released a statement saying the FAA identified an additional requirement that it has asked the company to address through the software changes that the company has been developing for the past eight months. The FAA review and process for returning the 737 MAX to passenger service are designed to result in a thorough and comprehensive assessment.

"Boeing agrees with the FAA's decision and request, and is working on the required software. Addressing this condition will reduce pilot workload by accounting for a potential source of uncommanded stabilizer motion. Boeing will not offer the 737 MAX for certification by the FAA until we have satisfied all requirements for certification of the MAX and its safe return to service," the company says.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.faa.gov
www.boeing.com