What's happened
The NTSB has issued urgent recommendations regarding CFM International LEAP-1B engines used in Boeing 737 Max jets after incidents involving smoke entering the cockpit and cabin. The recommendations follow two bird strike incidents in 2023, prompting calls for modifications to enhance safety and inform flight crews about potential hazards.
What's behind the headline?
Key Issues
- Safety Concerns: The NTSB highlighted that the load reduction device in the LEAP-1B engines can inadvertently allow oil to enter the engine, creating smoke that can fill the cockpit or cabin.
- Incident History: The recommendations were prompted by two significant incidents: one in December 2023 in New Orleans and another in March 2023 in Havana, both involving emergency landings due to smoke.
- Regulatory Response: The FAA has agreed to the NTSB's recommendations, indicating a collaborative effort to enhance safety protocols and inform flight crews about the risks.
Implications
- Pilot Training: Boeing has revised flight manuals to help pilots manage smoke risks, which is crucial for ensuring crew and passenger safety.
- Future Modifications: The NTSB's call for software updates and modifications to the engines reflects a proactive approach to aviation safety, especially given the historical issues surrounding the Boeing 737 Max.
- Broader Impact: This situation underscores the ongoing scrutiny of aviation safety standards, particularly in light of previous crashes involving the 737 Max, which have raised public and regulatory concerns about the aircraft's safety.
What the papers say
The Independent reported that the NTSB's recommendations were influenced by two incidents involving Southwest Airlines flights, where smoke filled the cockpit and cabin due to engine malfunctions after bird strikes. Josh Marcus noted that the NTSB warned of the dangers posed by the engine's load reduction device, which can allow smoke from hot oil to enter the aircraft. Similarly, the NY Post emphasized the urgency of the NTSB's recommendations, highlighting the potential for incapacitating pilots due to smoke exposure. AP News provided additional context, explaining that the FAA and Boeing are already working on fixes and have alerted airlines about the issue. The consensus across these sources indicates a serious concern for aviation safety and the need for immediate action to prevent future incidents.
How we got here
The NTSB's recommendations stem from two incidents involving Southwest Airlines flights in 2023, where bird strikes led to smoke filling the cockpit and cabin. This raised concerns about the safety features of the CFM International LEAP-1B engines used in Boeing 737 Max and Airbus A320neo aircraft.
Go deeper
- What modifications are being made to the engines?
- How will this impact flight safety in the future?
- What are the historical issues with the Boeing 737 Max?
Common question
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The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent U.S. government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation.
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The Boeing Company is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, telecommunications equipment, and missiles worldwide.
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Southwest Airlines Co. is a major American airline headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and is the world's largest low-cost carrier.
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Airbus SE ( AIR-buss; French: [ɛʁbys] ; German: [ˈɛːɐ̯bʊs] ; Spanish: [ˈejɾβus]) is a European aerospace corporation. While the company's primary business is the design and manufacture of commercial aircraft, it also operates separate divisions
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CFM International is a joint venture between GE Aviation, a division of General Electric of the United States, and Safran Aircraft Engines, a division of Safran of France.
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