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FAA will not need immediate 737 MAX engine action after bird strikes

The Federal Aviation Administration said on Tuesday it will not require any immediate action after assembling an evaluation board to consider concerns about Boeing 737 MAX engines after two bird strike events on Southwest Airlines airplanes in 2023.

The FAA Corrective Action Evaluation Board evaluated the CFM LEAP-1B engine bird strikes which resulted in smoke entering two Boeing 737 MAX airplane. The board determined the issue does not warrant instant action and the FAA will follow its requirement regulatory procedure to resolve it, the firm said.

The FAA continues to examine how these events could impact other engines with comparable structural designs, the firm stated, adding it will release a notice to foreign air travel regulators about new details Boeing offered to operators of aircraft with LEAP-1B engines.

The FAA had been considering suggestions for brand-new launch procedures to close the airflow to one or both engines to address the potential impact of a bird strike and prevent smoke from going into the cockpit.

The development of a long-term repair might extend hold-ups to certification of Boeing's MAX 7 and MAX 10 designs.

Reuters reported last week the FAA was considering whether a change in procedures made sense to attend to the incredibly uncommon occurrence when pilots have actually an established treatment to deal with the issue.

Boeing said Tuesday it continues to follow regulatory processes to properly address possible concerns and guarantee the continued security of the international fleet.

Southwest Airlines said on Tuesday it formerly alerted flight teams about the impacts of certain bird strikes following the two events and restated the value of following recognized security procedures that become part of the business's recurrent pilot training.

Southwest stated it continues to work with makers and safety regulators to recognize a permanent option.

The Seattle Times reported a style change could involve a. software upgrade to modify what occurs to airflow valves when an. engine fan blade breaks since of a bird strike or other. factor.

CFM, the world's biggest engine maker by systems offered, is. co-owned by GE Aerospace and Safran. GE. Aerospace stated it is encouraging of FAA's choice and will. continue to work closely with Boeing and regulators.

Last week, the National Transportation Safety Board stated it. opened an examination into the Southwest left engine bird. strike and subsequent smoke in cockpit occasion that occurred near. New Orleans in December 2023.

The other event occurred in a Southwest March 2023 flight. that had actually left Havana and in which a bird strike caused smoke. filling the guest cabin.

Boeing in February published a publication to notify flight. crews of possible flight deck and cabin effects associated with. extreme engine damage.

Boeing's 737 MAX 7 and 10 are postponed as the planemaker. works to deal with an engine anti-ice system that could result in it. overheating and possibly triggering an engine failure before the. planes can be accredited.

(source: Reuters)