Safety experts at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) urge airlines to strengthen pilot training for situations in which smoke fills the cockpit. Multiple outlets report that the recommendation calls for more realistic, scenario-based training so pilots can respond effectively when smoke develops suddenly and impacts visibility or aircraft systems. The guidance is linked to a recent incident involving a Southwest Airlines flight in 2023 after a bird strike, when smoke entered the cockpit. The experts’ focus is on ensuring crews are prepared for the specific challenges of smoke events, including identifying the source, managing crew coordination, and carrying out appropriate procedures under time pressure and potentially degraded conditions. The outlets describe the recommendation as part of broader efforts to improve aviation safety and reduce the risk that smoke-related events lead to confusion or delayed decision-making. The NTSB’s actions reflect a push for preparedness through better training rather than changes to aircraft design, emphasizing what pilots do in the moments after an incident begins.