(Updates with CFM comment in the seventh paragraph.)
The Federal Aviation Administration will convene a review board to address safety concerns involving CFM LEAP-1B engines on Boeing 737 MAX planes after two 2023 bird strike incidents on Southwest Airlines (LUV) flights caused cockpit smoke, Reuters reported on Friday.
The report said the FAA is collaborating with Boeing (BA), CFM, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
It added that temporary procedural changes during takeoff may be issued until Boeing develops a permanent fix, which could delay the certification of the MAX 7 and MAX 10 models.
CFM is the world's largest engine maker by units sold and is co-owned by GE Aerospace (GE) and Safran. GE Aerospace told Reuters that the LEAP engines meet certification standards and performed as designed, though the birds exceeded size and weight standards.
Southwest told MT Newswires that it is working with manufacturers and regulators to identify fixes while reiterating safety procedures to flight crews.
A Boeing spokesperson told MT Newswires that the company is "working with the authorities that are investigating these incidents. We continue to follow regulatory processes to properly address potential issues and ensure the continued safety of the global fleet."
A CFM spokesperson said load reduction devices, used industry-wide for over 20 years, are functioning as intended, adding it is working with the FAA, EASA, and Boeing to assess 'if there are any learnings from recent events'.
(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)
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