NTSB Issues Uncommon Safety Advisory Over Possible Engine Concerns on Boeing 737 Max Aircraft
Fresh Take:
The NTSB's alarm bell is ringing for Boeing 737 Max planes, thanks to a safety bulletin highlighting potential issues with the jet engines. The warning stems from two bird-strike incidents on Southwest Airlines flights, where damage to the CFM International LEAP-1B engines let smoke seep into the aircraft's ventilation system, potentially ending up in the cockpit or cabin.
Such smoke could pose a severe risk in aviation, as it could overpower and incapacitate pilots. The NTSB is concerned that pilots might not fully grasp the danger and has urged the FAA to ensure flight crew awareness of the issue. They also recommend software modifications to the engines to tackle this problem.
Boeing and CFM International have already started addressing this issue, with software revisions in the pipeline. Boeing has already revised flight manuals for pilots, providing guidelines to prevent smoke from entering the cockpit or cabin in case of such damage. GE Aerospace, the manufacturer of the engine, has also confirmed that necessary work is underway.
The NTSB's recommendations include software modifications to better manage the engine's load reduction device (LRD) to prevent conditions that lead to oil system damage and smoke ingress. Additionally, they have emphasized the importance of training flight crews about the risk of smoke following LRD activation and the steps to be taken when such situations occur.
In addition to these measures for the LEAP-1B engines, the NTSB recommends evaluating similar risks for other LEAP variants (LEAP-1A and LEAP-1C) to ensure no identical issues exist. The FAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are urged to implement these changes as soon as possible.
- The NTSB's recommendations to enhance flight crew awareness and engine software modifications extend beyond the Boeing 737 Max, encompassing other industries and engines such as the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1C used in transportation and aerospace.
- In light of the potential risks of smoke ingress in the aviation industry, the NTSB urges financial institutions, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), to invest in immediate implementation of the recommended changes for engines associated with various industries, ensuring safety in finance, aerospace, and transportation sectors.
