Story perspectives

NTSB Urges Real-Smoke Sim Training After Safe Southwest Landing

5/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

The NTSB urged airlines to adopt realistic smoke-in-cockpit simulation training after the December 2023 Southwest incident.
Southwest pilots safely landed a smoke-filled Boeing 737 MAX in New Orleans in December 2023, with no injuries among the 139 aboard.
The FAA receives near-daily cockpit-smoke reports but limits training to verbal briefings, not requiring immersive simulation.
Southwest said it is reviewing the NTSB recommendation and will enhance pilot training while fixing the 737 MAX engine issue.

1 of 1

Story summary

The NTSB urged airlines to adopt realistic smoke-in-cockpit simulation training after the December 2023 Southwest incident.
Southwest pilots safely landed a smoke-filled Boeing 737 MAX in New Orleans in December 2023, with no injuries among the 139 aboard.
The FAA receives near-daily cockpit-smoke reports but limits training to verbal briefings, not requiring immersive simulation.
Southwest said it is reviewing the NTSB recommendation and will enhance pilot training while fixing the 737 MAX engine issue.