New Boeing 737 Max malfunctions discovered: 737 Max: Boeing will have to fix a new malfunction before it can operate

Boeing will not be able to fly certification until July 8, at best, according to Reuters sources. The US Civil Aviation Authority (FAA) has identified a new potential malfunction affecting the 737 Max and the aircraft manufacturer will have to adjust it before the aircraft can be re-operated. The defect was discovered during tests performed last week, according to these sources. The 737 Max was stalled around the world in March after an Ethiopian Airlines plane crash and a Lion Air plane crash four months ago. Both disasters killed 346 people. In both cases, the MCAS anti-stall software of the aircraft was questioned.

"Regarding the most recent malfunction, the FAA process is designed to detect and expose potential risks.The FAA recently discovered a potential risk that Boeing must correct," says an FAA statement sent to Reuters. "The FAA will lift the ban on the aircraft when we judge that it will be safe to do so". Boeing said Wednesday night that the FAA had asked it to address, through software updates, a specific flight condition not covered by the company's previously unveiled software updates.

New Boeing 737 Max malfunctions discovered

The US aircraft manufacturer also said it agreed with the decision and request from the FAA and was working on a fix to solve the problem. "Boeing will not submit the 737 Max for FAA certification until we have met all the requirements for Max certification and safe return to service," wrote Boeing.
The malfunction still concerns the 737 Max MCAS anti-stall system

Two people close to the case told Reuters that during a simulator test conducted last week, an FAA test pilot ran different scenarios to intentionally activate the MCAS anti-stall system. During an activation, it took a long time to recover the stabilizer compensation system, used to control the aircraft, says one source.

It is unclear if the situation, which resulted in an unexpected dive, can be resolved by a software update or if it is a microprocessor-related problem, which will require the replacement of the equipment. A physical repair could delay the return to service of the aircraft.