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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a warning about certain jet engines that could allow smoke to enter the cockpit when damaged. This warning, released on Wednesday (June 18), focuses on some models of LEAP engines manufactured by CFM International, used in Boeing 737 Max and some Airbus A320neo aircraft.
The issue arose after two bird strikes involving Southwest Airlines planes in 2023, one in Havana and another in New Orleans. According to the NTSB, these engines can inadvertently release oil into the hot engine when a safety feature, called a load reduction device, is activated. This can result in smoke entering the cockpit or passenger cabin.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has required the engine manufacturer to address this issue and is asking operators to update their training and flight simulator software. CFM International is working on a software update to mitigate the problem, expected to be ready by early next year. Boeing has also updated some pilot checklists to help manage the situation.
While these incidents were triggered by bird strikes, the NTSB warns that similar situations could occur under other circumstances. The FAA plans to mandate operators to implement the manufacturer's permanent fix once it is available.