NTSB issues urgent safety bulletin about engines found in some Boeing 737 Max jets

Core Viewpoint - The NTSB has issued an urgent safety recommendation to modify Boeing 737 Max jet engines to prevent smoke from entering the cockpit or cabin following incidents involving bird strikes on Southwest Airlines flights [1][2]. Group 1: Incident Details - Two incidents involving Southwest Airlines planes with CFM International LEAP-1B engines occurred in 2023, where bird strikes led to smoke entering the cockpit and cabin [1][6]. - In December 2023, a Southwest Airlines plane experienced "acrid white smoke" filling the cockpit after a bird strike during takeoff from New Orleans, making it difficult for the captain to see the instrument panel [3]. - A similar incident occurred nine months earlier on a flight from Havana, Cuba, where smoke filled the cabin after birds were ingested into the engine shortly after takeoff [6]. Group 2: Safety Recommendations - The NTSB has recommended evaluating the potential for similar issues with CFM's LEAP-1A and LEAP-1C engines, which are used on Airbus A320neo planes and C919 jets [8]. - The FAA and Boeing have agreed with the NTSB recommendations and have warned airlines and pilots about the issue [9][11]. Group 3: Company Responses - Boeing and CFM are reportedly working on a software design update to address the safety concerns raised by the NTSB [13].