Boeing needs up to 3 months to fix the latest 737 Max glitch
Boeing could take three months to fix the latest software glitch on its 737 Max, discovered when a U.S. government pilot doing simulator tests experienced a lag in an emergency response because a computer chip was overwhelmed with data, people familiar with the matter said.
The finding is what prompted Wednesday’s announcement by the Federal Aviation Administration that it had detected a new safety issue on the plane, said one of the people. Boeing’s best-selling jet has been grounded since March 13 after suffering two fatal crashes in five months.
The planemaker maintains that a software patch will be sufficient to address the issue. However, the FAA isn’t yet sure whether a more complex and expensive hardware fix will be required, said the person, who wasn’t authorized to discuss the matter and asked not to be identified.
Estimates for how long it will take to address the issue range from a few weeks to three months, the person said Thursday. Another person familiar with the matter said it could take two to three months, but not longer.
Boeing has begun notifying customers and others with a stake in the 737 Max’s future that it anticipates it can address the issue as well as a broader software redesign, and return the plane to service in September, according to a person familiar with the manufacturer’s talking points.
Southwest Airlines Co., the biggest operator of the Max, responded by eliminating the plane from its flight schedules until at least Oct. 1. The extension will force the continued cancellation of 150 daily flights, the Dallasbased carrier said in a statement.
Meanwhile, four of the world’s leading aircraft regulators have agreed in principle to coordinate in restoring the Max to service once they’re confident the updates and new training meet safety standards. Officials from the FAA have expressed consensus with their counterparts in Europe, Canada and Brazil on the need to act together to restore public trust in the world’s aviation-safety system.