NTSB Recommends FAA Mandate Cockpit Smoke Simulations

The National Transportation Safety Board recommended on Wednesday that the Federal Aviation Administration require airlines to implement realistic simulation training for pilots facing smoke in the cockpit, following a December 2023 incident on a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX flight from New Orleans.

The flight crew encountered rapid smoke buildup in the cockpit shortly after departure when a bird struck one of the engines. Visibility deteriorated within seconds, making it difficult to read instruments and checklists. The pilots donned oxygen masks, completed emergency procedures, declared an emergency and returned safely to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. None of the 139 people on board were injured.

The NTSB warned that a similar event at night or in instrument meteorological conditions could have catastrophic consequences. The board noted that the FAA receives nearly daily reports of in-flight smoke emergencies, yet passenger airlines are not required to provide immersive simulation training. Current practices often limit instruction to verbal discussions, without simulating reduced visibility or high workloads.

To address this gap, the NTSB urged the...