A new safety flaw has been identified on the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, but is unrelated to the crashes which forced a worldwide grounded of the planes.
The Federal Aviation Administration discovered a data processing fault that could force the plane into a dive, or an ‘uncommanded stabilizer motion.’
According to two people familiar with the matter, the error came to light during simulator testing
"The FAA recently found a potential risk that Boeing must mitigate," the agency said, without disclosing specifics.
The issue bore similarities with the the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) which has been tied to the two crashes, but is not related.
"Addressing this condition will reduce pilot workload. The safety of our airplanes is Boeing’s highest priority. We are working closely with the FAA to safely return the Max to service," said Boeing spokesman Gordon Johndroe.
The problem came to light during simulator testing in the past few days in which pilots had difficulties stabilizing the aircraft, the unnamed source said.
The 737 MAX has been grounded worldwide since mid-March, days after a second deadly crash.
The FAA and other stakeholders have been reviewing a software fix for the MCAS system but said it is still too early to commit to a date for when the aircraft can fly again.
"We continue to evaluate Boeing’s software modification to the MCAS and we are still developing necessary training requirements," the FAA said.
