NSTB calls for pilots to be trained with realistic smoke-in-cockpit simulations

The NTSB issued three safety warnings on Wednesday to better prepare pilots for smoke-in-cockpit emergencies. The Board states that the recommendations come from its investigation of a Dec. 20, 2023, incident. A Boeing 737-8 flying for Southwest Airlines was departing the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport when a bird flew into the left engine shortly after takeoff, causing the cockpit to rapidly fill with smoke. While the crew was able to put on emergency masks and safely return to the airport, they reported difficulty seeing flight instruments and checklist items. They claimed that the surprise, adrenaline and limited sight was much more challenging than anything done in training. "If such an event occurred at night or in instrument meteorological conditions, the consequences could be catastrophic," said the NTSB. The FAA receives regular notifications of declared emergencies due to smoke in the cockpit. Despite the frequency of these emergencies, commercial airlines are not required to conduct smoke-in-cockpit simulation training. The only training for a smoke event is often just a verbal discussion. The NTSB states pilots are not adequately prepared for workload, stress, limited visibility and time-critical decision making associated with actual smoke emergencies in the cockpit. RELATED STORIES: Engine would not respond during Sen. Sheehy's emergency landing in Montana NTSB updates U.S. Civil Aviation Accident dashboard to include findings data Close call between Delta flight and Cirrus SR22 while landing in NYC It is recommended that the FAA and the industry develop standardized, realistic smoke-in-cockpit simulation training for pilots and incorporate that training into its guidance for overseeing airline training programs. The NTSB also urged Airlines for America and the Regional Airline Association to encourage the use of realistic smoke-event simulations for training and to share information on the Southwest incident with their member airlines.