Dhaka, May 15 -- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued three safety recommendations aimed at improving pilot preparedness for smoke-in-cockpit emergencies through realistic, scenario-based training.

The recommendations, announced on May 13, stem from an investigation into a December 20, 2023, incident involving Southwest Airlines flight 554, a Boeing 737-8 MAX, on departure from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

Shortly after takeoff, a bird was ingested into the aircraft's left engine, causing smoke to rapidly fill the cockpit and deteriorate visibility below the level required to monitor flight instruments and checklist items properly. The flight crew donned oxygen masks, completed emergency proce...