Boeing spokesperson says the company is working on software update after 737 flight guidance issue

Boeing is working on a software update for its 737 aircraft after identifying an issue that could leave pilots without automated vertical flight guidance during a specific landing scenario, a company spokesperson said. Boeing notified all 737 operators last month and reinforced existing pilot procedures for handling the situation safely. According to Boeing, the problem can occur after a missed approach, when a pilot changes the preprogrammed flight path. In that case, the flight management computer software may shift the aircraft from vertical navigation mode to a simpler pitch-control automation, requiring extra procedural steps to re-enable automated vertical navigation on subsequent approaches. Boeing has informed the FAA and is developing a permanent fix under regulator oversight.