NTSB issues urgent warning about dangerous engine issues in Boeing and Airbus jets

In December 2023, an incident occurred in the United States involving a Southwest Airlines flight on a Boeing 737-8 jet. The aircraft, which was taking off from New Orleans, experienced a serious safety hazard when its left engine ingested a bird, causing smoke to fill the cabin and cockpit. This alarming situation was marked by 'acrid white smoke' that obstructed the captain's view of the instrument panel. The flight crew had to don masks and clear the smoke while safely landing back in New Orleans. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the passengers or crew during this incident. Following this event, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued an urgent safety recommendation concerning specific engines installed in some Airbus and Boeing aircraft, particularly the CFM International LEAP-1B engines. These engines are utilized in the Airbus A32neo and Boeing 737 Max narrow-body jets. The NTSB's recommendation highlighted a crucial concern regarding the engine's load reduction device, which is intended to mitigate vibrations from a damaged engine to the aircraft mainframe. The regulator indicated that issues with this device could compromise the engine's oil system, leading to the dangerous possibility of smoke from hot oil entering both the ventilation system and the cabin. The warnings advised that such conditions may pose serious risks to flight safety by allowing smoke to enter the cockpit, which can endanger both the flight crew's ability to operate the aircraft and the wellbeing of passengers. As a response to the safety recommendation, CFM International issued a statement expressing their commitment to cooperating with airframers in enhancing the load reduction device's capabilities to prevent such incidents in the future. The ongoing dialogue between regulatory bodies and manufacturers, such as Boeing, concerns proactive measures to ensure that safety protocols are strengthened. Exemplifying the concern for aviation safety, the NTSB's alert on Wednesday urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure that operators inform flight crews about the risks associated with aircraft equipped with the affected engines. Moreover, Boeing has already updated its flight manuals to guide pilots on methods for preventing smoke from invading the cockpit and cabin during the activation of the load reduction device. Additionally, the NTSB has asked flight regulators in Europe and China to investigate if other variants of the CFM LEAP engine exhibit similar vulnerabilities, emphasizing the widespread nature of the issue. This is not the first time incidents with the Boeing 737 Max model have raised safety concerns; the aircraft was previously grounded after two fatal crashes attributed to a flawed flight sensor system that claimed 346 lives. In May, the Justice Department reached a settlement with Boeing in connection with allegations that the company had misled regulators regarding the safety of the Max model. These revelations contribute to ongoing discussions about aviation safety and the responsibilities of manufacturers and regulators in preventing future accidents and ensuring the safety of air travel.