A rare and urgent National Transportation Safety Board bulletin warns that Boeing 737 MAX jets are vulnerable to smoke entering the cabin or cockpit after bird strikes damage engine oil systems, prompting immediate calls for fixes and pilot training updates.
At a Glance
- Following two bird-strike incidents on Southwest 737 MAX flights, engine oil smoke infiltrated the cabin and cockpit
- Smoke was so dense on one flight that the captain struggled to read cockpit instruments
- The NTSB recommends engine modifications and system reviews to prevent future occurrences
- Boeing and GE/CFM are developing software updates and flight manual revisions in response
- Regulators stress enhanced pilot training and ventilation checks to handle smoke emergencies
What Triggered the Alert?
According to Reuters, the NTSB bulletin followed two alarming bird-strike events involving Boeing 737 MAX aircraft equipped with CFM LEAP-1B engines. In both cases—a December 2023 flight from New Orleans and a March 2023 flight from Havana—oil vented into hot engine parts, filling the cabin with thick white smoke. In one incident, the cockpit was so obscured that the captain had difficulty reading flight displays.
Watch a report: NTSB Urges Quick Fix on Boeing 737 MAX Engines.
Industry Response and Recommendations
The NTSB strongly urged the FAA to require engine and software updates for the LEAP-1B and related LEAP-1A/1C variants used on Airbus A320neo aircraft. Boeing has already revised flight manuals and is working with GE Aerospace and CFM International on a software patch and system safeguards, according to CNBC.
Regulators also emphasized improved pilot training and simulator protocols to ensure readiness for smoke emergencies—a key concern after prior MAX safety controversies, as noted by Bloomberg.
Why It Matters Now
This new warning adds fresh pressure on Boeing, still working to rebuild trust after earlier MAX incidents—including MCAS-related disasters and the January 2024 door-plug blowout that triggered a temporary fleet grounding. As Reuters notes, any further safety concerns could delay the MAX’s recovery in both U.S. and global markets.
Without prompt corrective action—technical fixes, enhanced training, and regulatory oversight—future operations could face new disruptions, adding to Boeing’s already complex path to restoring confidence in the MAX fleet.
