US Transport Chief Duffy sees no safety concern from 737 MAX software issue

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, Sept ‌30 (Reuters) - US ​Transportation ​Secretary Sean Duffy said Wednesday he does not currently see any safety concern stemming from a ‌software issue involving the Boeing 737 MAX fleet.

"If ⁠there was like, 'Hey we've got a safety issue,' we have a ‌different response," Duffy told reporters ‌after an event in Washington. "We've learned when you don't respond quickly to things, bad things can happen." He ​added the agency saw no need to ground the 737 MAX fleet over the issue.

On Saturday, Boeing said ⁠a software issue affecting certain 737 MAX aircraft could prevent pilots from accessing ​automated flight guidance during a specific landing scenario. The company said it had informed operators and ​was developing a software update to ‌permanently address the problem.

On Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration said it will hold off certifying ⁠Boeing's long-delayed 737 MAX 10 until the software issue is resolved.

On Wednesday, Duffy compared the issue to an update on a ⁠smartphone, adding that the software update "hasn't been flagged for us as ​a safety issue."

Earlier, the FAA said the software version can increase pilot workload when doing a go-around, where a pilot aborts a ‌landing attempt, applies power, and climbs back into the sky to try to land again.

The ‌FAA said it planned to convene a Corrective Action Review ⁠Board to investigate the ‌issue. Officials said this ​may not take place until next week at the earliest.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by David ‌Gregorio)

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