Investigation launched into Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Incident: Engine Cowling Detaches Mid-Flight

Airline regulators in the US have launched an investigation into a frightening incident involving a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800, in which the engine cowling detached during take-off and struck a wing flap. Fortunately, the flight was able to return safely to Denver International Airport after initially heading to Houston.

The aircraft, which had 135 passengers and six crew members on board, reached an altitude of about 10,300 feet before landing back at the airport. Southwest Airlines has stated that its maintenance teams will be conducting a thorough review of the Boeing 737-800, as they are responsible for the maintenance of such parts. While the incident caused an unavoidable delay for passengers, the airline emphasized that the safety of customers and employees is their top priority.

According to records from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the plane involved in the incident was manufactured in 2015 and belongs to an earlier generation of the 737 model, distinct from the troubled 737 Max series. The aircraft in question was powered by CFM56 engines, whereas the newer 737 Max models are equipped with the CFM-Leap engine, both of which are developed through a collaboration between General Electric Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines.

Following the incident, the FAA confirmed that the Boeing aircraft was towed back to the gate after landing. When approached for comment, Boeing chose to defer inquiries to Southwest Airlines regarding the specific details of the aircraft and its fleet operations. Southwest Airlines made arrangements to fly the affected passengers to Houston on another plane, albeit with a three-hour delay.

This incident adds to the growing scrutiny and challenges faced by Boeing in recent years. In January, the company faced backlash after a mid-air blowout on a flight from Oregon to California, resulting in a $160 million payment to Alaska Air to compensate for their losses. Additionally, nearly 200 Boeing 737 Max 9 jets were temporarily grounded by regulators following an incident where a door plug fell from an Alaska aircraft shortly after take-off.

Boeing has been working diligently to restore its reputation following fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 involving a different variant of the 737 Max, which claimed the lives of 346 people. The grounding of the 737 Max planes globally for over 18 months has been a significant setback for Boeing, as it strives to regain the trust of customers and maintain safety standards within the aviation industry.