Boeing issued a software safety patch for the VHF radio systems used on its 787 aircraft, and the update turned out to be ineffective, Qatar Airways has complained.

In February, the US Department of Transportation issued an [1]advisory [PDF] about a problem with the aircraft's electronics that was causing VHF radio traffic to unexpectedly switch between active and standby mode. In practice, this means pilots constantly have to check their radio settings to make sure all messages from air traffic control are received, and multiple cases of this unwanted switching have been reported.

"The FAA has received reports indicating that VHF radio frequencies transfer between the active and standby windows of the TCP [tuning control panel] without flightcrew input," the dept said.

[2]

"The flightcrew may not be aware of uncommanded frequency changes and could fail to receive air traffic control communications. This condition, if not addressed, could result in missed communications such as amended clearances and critical instructions for changes to flight path and consequent loss of safe separation between aircraft, collision, or runway incursion."

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Boeing issued a software fix to stop the mode changes and, according to Uncle Sam, the update will take 90 minutes to install with an estimated cost of $127.50 per aircraft, with 157 US airplanes reportedly vulnerable. The problem affects 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 aircraft.

The unsafe condition still exists on airplanes

America's aviation watchdog the FAA has asked for feedback from airlines by April 14 on the situation, and Qatar Airways isn't waiting that long. It has already warned the patch isn't working as it should: The radios still change mode without warning.

"Qatar Airways flight crew are still reporting similar issues from post-mod airplanes. [Qatar Airways] already reported the events to Boeing/Collins aerospace for further investigation and root cause determination," the airline [7]said .

[8]

"As of now, Qatar believes that the issue is not completely addressed, and the unsafe condition still exists on airplanes."

Neither Qatar, Boeing, or the FAA representative were available for comment on the issue. Collins is a software provider for Boeing. ®

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[1] https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-02-26/pdf/2025-03081.pdf

[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Z_WcgiwH9rM3nvuVUjxcggAAAwk&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0

[3] https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/15/boeing_airbus_commercial_deliveries_2024/

[4] https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/14/boeing_layoffs_delays/

[5] https://www.theregister.com/2024/07/01/boeing_reacquires_spirit/

[6] https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/28/boeing_starliner_fixes/

[7] https://www.regulations.gov/comment/FAA-2025-0204-0005

[8] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Z_WcgiwH9rM3nvuVUjxcggAAAwk&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[9] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/