Overview

• The NTSB’s urgent safety bulletin found that CFM International’s LEAP-1B engines can discharge oil into hot sections when a load reduction device activates after damage, sending smoke into cockpit and cabin ventilation systems.
• The board urged the FAA to ensure operators fully brief flight crews on recognizing and responding to smoke events caused by engine damage.
• Boeing has revised pilot manuals with procedures to manually cut off engine airflow to limit smoke exposure while CFM International and Boeing develop an automatic software protection.
• The FAA agreed to adopt the NTSB’s recommendation and will require airlines to install the permanent fix once the update is validated, with initial software expected in the first quarter of next year.
• Regulators also recommended evaluating LEAP-1A and LEAP-1C engines on Airbus A320neo jets, a review that could affect carriers including IndiGo, Air India, Akasa and SpiceJet.