Feds issue urgent warning over risk of Boeing 737 Max engines leaking smoke into cabin, cockpit

Group 1 - Federal regulators issued an urgent warning regarding the risk of Boeing 737 MAX engines malfunctioning, which could allow smoke to enter the airplane cabin or cockpit, posing a significant danger to pilots [1] - The warning was prompted by two incidents involving Southwest Airlines flights where CFM International LEAP-1B engines malfunctioned after bird strikes, resulting in smoke entering the cabins [2] - The NTSB reported that in December 2023, a Boeing 737-8 experienced "acrid white smoke" shortly after takeoff, severely impairing the captain's visibility, and another incident in March 2023 also involved smoke entering the passenger cabin [3] Group 2 - The NTSB recommended modifications to the engines used on Boeing 737 MAX planes and Airbus A32 jets, urging the FAA to assess whether LEAP-1A and LEAP-1C engines could face similar issues [4] - The NTSB expressed concerns that flight crews may be unaware of the smoke hazard and lack knowledge on how to respond, urging the FAA to require operators like Boeing to inform crews about the risks [4] - Boeing has revised its flight manuals to guide pilots on preventing smoke from entering the cockpit or cabin, and is collaborating with CFM International on a software design update in response to the NTSB's recommendations [6]