Greater scrutiny for Boeing’s MAX as NTSB investigating 2023 bird strike
November 26, 2024
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has confirmed it has opened an investigation into the Southwest Airlines left engine bird strike and subsequent smoke in cockpit event that occurred in a Boeing 737-8 near New Orleans, Louisiana in December 2023.
On 20 December 2023, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 struck a large bird on takeoff from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, resulting in the shutdown of one of the aircraft’s two CFM LEAP-1B engines. Although the aircraft returned to land safely, it nevertheless highlights the role of an engine safety device some FAA experts believe poses an unacceptable risk to flight safety.
At the heart of the issue is the CFM Load Reduction Device (LRD), a safety mechanism to separate the fan rotor from its adjacent supports in the event of a fan blade breakage or major damage. Although this reduces the load on the engine, it can also impact the air bleed system affecting (depending on which engine is impacted) the cockpit and cabin, potentially resulting in noxious fumes entering the aircraft as a result of oil being ingested.
A similar incident occurred in March 2023, after a Southwest Airlines flight (also operated using a MAX 8) hit a large bird shortly after takeoff from Havana.
Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration announced it is “addressing the CFM LEAP-1B engine issue through [its] standard continued operational safety process, which includes close collaboration with Boeing, CFM and … EASA,” – with a Corrective Action Review Board to convene over the coming weeks to “examine the data and develop a path forward”.
As reported by Aviation Week, the upcoming FAA review board follows a 28 October memo from the FAA’s Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention (AVP) to the Safety and Recommendation Branch, making six emergency recommendations regarding the LRD. These range from adopting new temporary pilot procedures and the recommendation Boeing and CFM redesign the system. Additionally, AVP also pointed out it is “very concerning” that 737 MAX flight or training manuals to not reference the LRD or potential hazards of an activation, continued Aviation Week.
Although it is unclear what action may be recommended by the upcoming Corrective Action Review Board, the FAA nevertheless concluded in its statement that it has “determined this is not an immediate flight safety issue”.
