Overview

• The NTSB issued a rare urgent safety bulletin on June 18 recommending modifications to CFM International LEAP-1B engines after identifying a smoke risk following bird strikes.
• Investigators found that activation of the engine’s load reduction device can allow oil into the hot section, generating smoke that infiltrates the cockpit or passenger cabin.
• The FAA has agreed to implement the NTSB’s recommendations and will require operators to install a permanent mitigation within an appropriate timeframe once the software fix is finalized.
• Boeing and CFM International are collaborating on a software design update to automate airflow shutoff and prevent smoke buildup, reducing reliance on pilots’ manual intervention.
• The bulletin follows two 2023 Southwest Airlines bird-strike incidents in Havana and New Orleans and comes against the backdrop of the 737 Max’s prior crashes in 2018 and 2019.