Boeing Fix for 737 Max Software Is

Delayed

The Max is Boeing’s best-selling jet of all time, and the company is racing to
produce the planes at its factory in Renton, Wash.CreditCreditRuth Fremson/The
New York Times

● April 1, 2019
Boeing’s software update for its troubled 737 Max jetliners has been delayed after
the company deemed further work was needed on the fix before it was submitted to
the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Max, Boeing’s newest plane, was grounded by regulators around the world in
March after the crashes of two Max aircraft within five months.
As part of its process to return the Max to the air, Boeing has been working on a
software update to new anti-stall system, known as MCAS, that was included in the
Max.
Boeing had hoped to submit the update to the F.A.A., which must approve the new
software and training procedures before the Max can return to commercial flight,
as early as this week.
But in recent days, the timeline was extended by several weeks.
The delay came about through the workings of Boeing’s so-called non-advocate
review, a process in which Boeing employees who are not working on the software
fix vet the work before it is submitted to the F.A.A., according to people with
knowledge of the process who were not authorized to speak publicly.
It is not clear what specific changes the Boeing employees believe needed to be
made.
On Monday, the F.A.A. made a statement acknowledging the timing had been
pushed back.
“The F.A.A. expects to receive Boeing’s final package of its software enhancement
over the coming weeks for F.A.A. approval,” the agency said. “Time is needed for
additional work by Boeing as the result of an ongoing review of the 737 Max Flight
Control System to ensure that Boeing has identified and appropriately addressed
all pertinent issues.”
After the F.A.A. released its statement on Monday, Boeing also acknowledged the
delay.
“Boeing continues to work with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and other
regulatory agencies worldwide on the development and certification of the MCAS
software update and training program,” it said. “We are working to demonstrate
that we have identified and appropriately addressed all certification requirements
and will be submitting for F.A.A. review once completed in the coming weeks.”
The 737 Max will remain grounded for at least several more weeks, prolonging a
crisis that has engulfed Boeing.
Editors’ Picks

The Max is Boeing’s best-selling jet, and the company is racing to produce the
planes at its factory in Renton, Wash. But with the planes grounded, the company
has halted deliveries of new jets. As a result, it is stockpiling finished planes, which
will have to be updated with the new software before they are handed over to
customers.
At the same time, business and regulatory pressures are mounting. Some airlines
are demanding that Boeing compensate them for lost revenues as they cancel
flights and their planes sit idle. At least one airline is seeking to cancel its deal to
buy more Max jets.
Families of passengers aboard the flights that crashed, Lion Air Flight 610 and
Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, have hired lawyers to pursue legal claims against
Boeing. And in Washington, the Justice Department and the Transportation
Department’s inspector general are looking into the company’s rushed efforts to
produce and certify the Max.
“Safety is our first priority, and we will take a thorough and methodical approach to
the development and testing of the update to ensure we take the time to get it
right,” Boeing said in its statement on Monday.
Once regulators have Boeing’s software update, it could take weeks longer for
approval. “The F.A.A. will not approve the software for installation,” the statement
said, “until the agency is satisfied with the submission.”
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David Gelles is the Corner Office columnist and a business reporter. Follow him
on LinkedInand Twitter. @dgelles

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