“Terrifying moment for a Southwest Airlines passenger flying from Denver to Houston,” an ABC News transportation reporter tweeted. The engine cover came off during flight.The plane was scheduled to return to Denver on Sunday morning. ”
“Think of the large circular metal panel surrounding the engine,” QZ wrote, adding that after it separated, the engine cowl “hit the 737-800's wing flap.”
The accident occurred during takeoff, so the plane was towed back to the gate after returning to the airport. All passengers and crew members were safe and the passengers boarded a replacement flight to Houston.
In the weeks before this incident, conditions in the southwest were already dire. One engine on a Boeing 737-800 caught fire before takeoff from a Texas airport last Thursday, and two Southwest flights under FAA surveillance were grounded due to turbulence before that. Ta. [One last month in New York City and the other in Florida on Wednesday. “Two hours later, an All Nippon Airways Boeing 787 reported an oil leak on arrival at Naha Airport, Japan,” adds Newsweek.].
“We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the delays,” Boeing said in a statement, adding that “the ultimate safety of our customers and employees is our top priority.”
“Our maintenance team is investigating the aircraft.”
