ISSUE:

There is a flaw on the Boeing 737 MAX-8 and possibly other aircraft where the ingestion of a large bird into an engine can release potentially deadly acrolein and formaldehyde into the cockpit and cabin. This smoke could kill the pilots within 39 seconds.

If the engine RPM doesn’t reduce below 62%, the Pressure Regulating Shutoff Valve (PRSOV) will not cut air from the damaged engine.

If the damage occurs during an already busy ascent or descent, the pilots may not have time to put on their oxygen masks.

Since passenger oxygen masks mix cabin air with the generated oxygen, the passengers will be subjected to these same poisons. While the bigger cabin would not allow the poison to build up to lethal levels, it poses a risk, especially to people with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

This happens due to the Load Reduction Device (LRD) on the LEAP-1B engine on the Boeing 737 MAX-8. The LRD automatically activates to avoid further engine damage if a fan blade snaps. HOWEVER, on the Boeing 737 MAX-8, its activation guarantees that poisonous oil is released into the air conditioning and pressurization system. LRD are also part of the LEAP-1A engines on the Airbus A320 neo and Boeing 777, and it’s unclear how their Air Conditioning would be affected by the LRD activation.

This has already happened on two occasions. Southwest Airlines flight 3923 on March 5, 2023 and Southwest Airlines flight 554 on December 20, 2023 had thick, irritating, acrid smoke entered the cockpit and cabin after a large bird was ingested by an engine. On flight 3923, the engine power stayed above 62% so air was not cut from the damaged engine. On flight 554, the head-up display was the only thing the captain could see clearly after the smoke entered the cockpit. These displays are not standard on the MAX and are rarely available for the First Officer, which would leave them unable to see their instruments.

 

NEEDED RESPONSE:

The FAA, EASA, and other airline regulators must follow the recommendations in the internal memo from the FAA’s Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention on Oct. 28 (which was leaked to the press). We are appalled these recommendations have been ignored and the official who made them was dropped from the FAA’s investigation.

 

These recommendations include:

1) All Boeing 737 MAX aircraft must perform takeoff and landing with the APU providing all air conditioning and pressurization.

2) Engines should have a detector installed to turn off and stop providing air immediately after a fan blade breaks.

3) Review all new design features on the 737 MAX to make sure they are all explained in the pilot’s manuals.

4) Have Boeing acknowledge that LRD activation will cause oil to leak into the air conditioning and pressurization unit.

5) All cockpit oxygen masks should have the goggles and mask connected as one unit.

6) Require Boeing to reassess the likelihood that the LRD will activate.

 

Furthermore, aviation regulators must ensure a similar fault does not exist in the LEAP-1A engines on the Airbus A320 neo and Boeing 777.

 

PRIMARY SOURCE:

REVEALED: This System KILLS in 39 Seconds and Nothing is Being DONE!

By: Mentour Pilot

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swlVkYVSlIE