A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 plane bound for Houston had to make an emergency return to Denver International Airport after its engine cover came off and struck the wing flag. The Federal Aviation Administration has stated that they will be launching an investigation into the incident. This is just the latest in a series of mechanical problems that have been affecting Boeing aircraft used by various airlines in recent months. The safety of Boeing planes has been under scrutiny for years, and this incident adds to those concerns.
Boeing has not commented on the incident and has referred all inquiries to Southwest Airlines for information about the plane and its fleet operations. Southwest Airlines has issued a statement to CNN saying that passengers on the affected flight will be rebooked onto another plane heading to Houston, but will be approximately three hours behind schedule. The airline has apologized for the inconvenience caused by the delay, but emphasized that the safety of passengers and crew is the highest priority.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident, despite the engine cover detaching from the plane and hitting the wing flag. Southwest Airlines has stated that their maintenance teams will be reviewing the aircraft to determine what caused the engine cover to come loose and strike the wing flag. The plane had been in the air for 35 minutes before the problem was discovered, forcing it to turn back and make an emergency landing. According to FAA records, the plane was deemed airworthy when it was last inspected in May 2015.
The incident involving the Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 plane is part of a larger trend of mechanical issues affecting Boeing aircraft in recent months. The company has been facing increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes, and this latest incident only serves to raise further concerns. The Federal Aviation Administration will be investigating the incident to determine the cause and to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future. Both Boeing and Southwest Airlines will be cooperating with the investigation to ensure the safety of their planes and passengers.
Despite the mechanical problems with the Boeing 737-800 plane, Southwest Airlines has emphasized that the safety of their passengers and crew is their top priority. The airline has apologized for the inconvenience caused by the delay and has worked to rebook passengers onto other flights to minimize disruptions to their travel plans. Southwest Airlines maintenance teams will be conducting a thorough review of the aircraft to identify any issues that may have lead to the engine cover coming loose. Passengers can rest assured that the safety of the aircraft will be thoroughly evaluated to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
