NTSB urges quick fix on some plane engines to prevent smoke from filling cabin after a bird strike
Safety experts recommended Wednesday that the engines on Boeing 's troubled 737 Max airplanes and some Airbus models be modified quickly to prevent smoke from filling the cockpit or cabin after a safety feature is activated following a bird strike.
The problem detailed by the National Transportation Safety Board emerged after two bird strikes involving Southwest Airlines planes in 2023 — one in Havana, Cuba, and another in New Orleans. The Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing already warned airlines and pilots about the problem and the engine maker has been working on a fix.
The NTSB said that the engines CFM International makes for the Boeing plane can inadvertently release oil into the hot engine when the safety feature, called a load reduction device, is activated after a bird strike or similar engine issue. The resulting smoke feeds directly into either the cockpit or passenger cabin depending on which engine was struck.
Air from the left engine on a 737 Max flows directly into the cockpit while air from the right engine flows into the passenger cabin.
The NTSB investigated a December 2023 incident in which a Southwest Airlines plane struck a bird while taking off from New Orleans and had to land quickly after thick smoke filled the cockpit — even making it hard for the pilot to see the instrument panel.
In an incident nine months earlier involving another Southwest 737 Max, smoke filled the cabin after a bird strike after takeoff in Havana.
While these incidents were both bird strikes, the NTSB said this could happen in certain other circumstances.
The FAA said in a statement that it agrees with the NTSB recommendations and when 'the engine manufacturer develops a permanent mitigation, we will require operators to implement it within an appropriate timeframe.'
Pilots can act to limit smoke in the plane by manually cutting off airflow from the engines, but smoke can quickly start to fill the cabin within a few seconds. The engine manufacturer is working on a software update that should do that automatically, but that's not expected to be ready until sometime in the first quarter of next year.
Boeing and Airbus didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
A Southwest spokesperson said the airline has been in close contact with the FAA, Boeing and the engine maker since the incidents and notified its pilots after they happened. The spokesperson said the airline continues to address the issue through its training and safety management systems.
The NTSB urged European aviation safety regulators to evaluate different models of these engines that are used to determine if they could also be susceptible to this smoke problem.
Although the NTSB said these engines are used on some Airbus A320neo planes, the Boeing 737 Max planes have been the focus since they were involved in both incidents, and there has been a history of other problems with that plane.
The Max version of Boeing's bestselling 737 airplane has been the source of persistent troubles for Boeing after two of the jets crashed. The crashes, one in Indonesia in 2018 and another in Ethiopia in 2019, killed 346 people.
The problem in those crashes stemmed from a sensor providing faulty readings that pushed the nose down, leaving pilots unable to regain control. After the second crash, Max jets were grounded worldwide until the company redesigned the system.
Last month, the Justice Department reached a deal to allow Boeing to avoid criminal prosecution for allegedly misleading U.S. regulators about the Max before the two crashes.
Worries about the plane flared up again after a door plug blew off a Max operated by Alaska Airlines, leading regulators to cap Boeing's production at 38 jets per month.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Auto Blog
an hour ago
- Auto Blog
Lucid Air Just Got a Little Better
Android owners rejoice! One of the most clamored-for functions on the Lucid Air has finally arrived: Android Auto connectivity. The automaker announced on June 16, 2025, that a simple over-the-air update to Lucid OS 2.7.0 will bring the 'Android Auto Smart Driving Companion Application' to all Lucid Air vehicles. If you own a phone with Android 11 or higher, you can benefit from Wireless Android Auto, whereas those with a phone on Android 9 or 10 must use a compatible USB cable. 0:02 / 0:09 Nissan's revolutionary self-driving tech hits Japan's streets Watch More 2025 Lucid Air Touring — Source: Ryan Brackin What was the alternative before this? Without Android Auto, owners would have to link their Spotify account directly to the car or rely on plain ol' Bluetooth for their tunes. The latter would still be required for phone calls, though. That wouldn't have been a massive issue, at least for me, if the Spotify connection wasn't spotty on my review car and/or if Bluetooth audio was compatible with album cover art. Much like my press car, however, those issues are now gone, and we can bathe in the glory of Android Auto. 'Android Auto is one of the most requested features by Lucid owners, and we are delighted to announce that we have begun rolling out a software update to add this capability,' said Dr. Jean-Philippe Gauthier, Head of Software Engineering for Lucid. 'Android Auto with Lucid Air's expansive 34-inch Glass Cockpit builds upon our commitment to compromising nothing by enhancing comfort and convenience for owners.' 2025 Lucid Air Touring — Source: Ryan Brackin What's a Lucid Air, again? The Lucid Air EV sedan comes in four flavors, ranging from the $69,900 base level Pure to the utterly ludicrous $249,000 Sapphire. The Pure gets by with plenty of power, up to 430 hp and a 0-60 mph figure of 4.5 seconds. It even has an estimated range of 420 miles and a 17-minute charge time to 200 miles. The Sapphire, on the other hand, gets 1,234 hp and a 0-60 mph time of 1.89 seconds. The range for that model comes in at 427 miles with a 15-minute charge time to 200 miles. One step down from that is the $110,900 Grand Touring, which is more likely the one most people would get. That one has 819 hp, a 0-60 mph time of 3 seconds, 512 miles of range, and a 12-minute charge time to 200 miles. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Final thoughts The Lucid Air was already a tremendous vehicle for the money, but adding Android Auto is the cherry on top of the sundae. According to the same Lucid press release, Android Auto connectivity for the automaker's new Gravity SUV is also on the way. That gives us even more reasons to celebrate. About the Author Gabriel Ionica View Profile
Auto Blog
an hour ago
- Auto Blog
Buying a Mitsubishi? Prices Just Jumped
Tariffs take another victim According to a new report by Reuters, Mitsubishi is the latest to join a growing list of automakers that are passing on the economic burden of tariffs and their effects on the supply chain directly onto the buyers of Outlanders, Outlander Sports, and its other vehicles. The newswire reports that as of June 18, prices for Mitsubishi vehicles sold in the U.S. will increase by an average of 2.1%, a move that the automaker itself claims is due to a combination of market factors and ongoing internal pricing evaluations. 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Trail Edition — Source: Mitsubishi The newswire states that Mitsubishi said the pricing adjustment was 'a direct result of our regular and ongoing review of pricing to ensure we are aligned with segment expectations.' This price increase comes at a time when tariffs and other import levies imposed by the Trump administration are making the cost of importing vehicles into the U.S. more expensive. However, Mitsubishi reassured consumers and concerned dealers that the price increase would not affect vehicles already on showroom floors or on dealer lots. It clarified that the price bump will apply to new cars shipped to dealers following June 18. Mitsubishi is especially affected by tariffs Mitsubishi's price increase comes on the heels of a temporary pause in deliveries triggered by Trump's tariff policy. In April, a Mitsubishi spokesperson said that the automaker was holding its vehicles at the port before any levies could be applied, as it awaited more color and clarity on the tariff situation. 'We are holding vehicles at the port until we have additional visibility on tariffs and decisions made on next steps,' the spokesperson told AutoNews on April 11. 'We have sufficient stock on the ground at dealers for the moment to not impact customer choice.' Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Compared to its Japanese automotive compatriots like Honda, Toyota, Subaru, and Nissan, Mitsubishi is in a precarious position. While its contemporaries produce U.S.-market cars in several states in the Midwest and American South, Mitsubishi imports every single Outlander, Mirage, Outlander Sport crossover, and Eclipse Cross it sells in the United States from Japan, prime candidates for 25% tariffs when they land at the port. 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander — Source: Mitsubishi Despite the tariff stress, Mitsubishi seems to be doing well in the United States. In Q1 2025, year-over-year sales increased by 11%. Last year, the company sold 110,000 vehicles, a 26% year-over-year increase and the best U.S. sales year for Mitsubishi since 2019. Mitsubishi credits this growth to its refreshed product lineup and the strong performance of the Outlander and Outlander Sport models in a competitive compact SUV market. However, the auto industry is showing coping mechanisms as tariffs reshape the cost of business. Last month, Subaru of America raised prices on multiple models by up to $2,055, citing 'current market conditions.' Weeks earlier, Ford became one of the first major automakers to respond to the new tariffs directly, increasing prices on three Mexican-made models by as much as $2,000. Additionally, Volvo's new order guide for 2026 shows several price increases, with some as high as $3,200. Final thoughts It seems that the tariff fiasco will not go away very soon. Last week, President Trump warned that he may raise the 25% auto tariffs, arguing that it could be an incentive for automakers to accelerate U.S. investments. 'I might go up with that tariff in the not-too-distant future,' Trump said on June 12. 'The higher you go, the more likely it is they build a plant here.' The tariff troubles are showing results in economic activity. According to Nikkei Asia, new data shows that Japan's total exports by value to the U.S. fell by 11% year-over-year, and the number of cars exported from Japan to the U.S. fell by 3.9%. To make matters worse, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Trump were unable to strike a tariff deal at a meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit this week, as they couldn't agree on tariffs on Japanese automobiles, something the U.S. considers to be a main cause of its trade deficit with Japan. About the Author James Ochoa View Profile
The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
NTSB urges quick fix on some plane engines to prevent smoke from filling cabin after a bird strike
Safety experts recommended Wednesday that the engines on Boeing 's troubled 737 Max airplanes and some Airbus models be modified quickly to prevent smoke from filling the cockpit or cabin after a safety feature is activated following a bird strike. The problem detailed by the National Transportation Safety Board emerged after two bird strikes involving Southwest Airlines planes in 2023 — one in Havana, Cuba, and another in New Orleans. The Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing already warned airlines and pilots about the problem and the engine maker has been working on a fix. The NTSB said that the engines CFM International makes for the Boeing plane can inadvertently release oil into the hot engine when the safety feature, called a load reduction device, is activated after a bird strike or similar engine issue. The resulting smoke feeds directly into either the cockpit or passenger cabin depending on which engine was struck. Air from the left engine on a 737 Max flows directly into the cockpit while air from the right engine flows into the passenger cabin. The NTSB investigated a December 2023 incident in which a Southwest Airlines plane struck a bird while taking off from New Orleans and had to land quickly after thick smoke filled the cockpit — even making it hard for the pilot to see the instrument panel. In an incident nine months earlier involving another Southwest 737 Max, smoke filled the cabin after a bird strike after takeoff in Havana. While these incidents were both bird strikes, the NTSB said this could happen in certain other circumstances. The FAA said in a statement that it agrees with the NTSB recommendations and when 'the engine manufacturer develops a permanent mitigation, we will require operators to implement it within an appropriate timeframe.' Pilots can act to limit smoke in the plane by manually cutting off airflow from the engines, but smoke can quickly start to fill the cabin within a few seconds. The engine manufacturer is working on a software update that should do that automatically, but that's not expected to be ready until sometime in the first quarter of next year. Boeing and Airbus didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. A Southwest spokesperson said the airline has been in close contact with the FAA, Boeing and the engine maker since the incidents and notified its pilots after they happened. The spokesperson said the airline continues to address the issue through its training and safety management systems. The NTSB urged European aviation safety regulators to evaluate different models of these engines that are used to determine if they could also be susceptible to this smoke problem. Although the NTSB said these engines are used on some Airbus A320neo planes, the Boeing 737 Max planes have been the focus since they were involved in both incidents, and there has been a history of other problems with that plane. The Max version of Boeing's bestselling 737 airplane has been the source of persistent troubles for Boeing after two of the jets crashed. The crashes, one in Indonesia in 2018 and another in Ethiopia in 2019, killed 346 people. The problem in those crashes stemmed from a sensor providing faulty readings that pushed the nose down, leaving pilots unable to regain control. After the second crash, Max jets were grounded worldwide until the company redesigned the system. Last month, the Justice Department reached a deal to allow Boeing to avoid criminal prosecution for allegedly misleading U.S. regulators about the Max before the two crashes. Worries about the plane flared up again after a door plug blew off a Max operated by Alaska Airlines, leading regulators to cap Boeing's production at 38 jets per month.
