Southwest Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Engine Cover Falls Off
NEW YORK — In a dramatic turn of events, a Boeing 737-800 plane bound for Houston operated by Southwest Airlines had to make an emergency landing at Denver International Airport. The reason? An engine cover had fallen off and struck the wing flap, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident, adding to a growing list of mechanical issues that have plagued Boeing aircraft across various airlines in recent months. This comes at a time when Boeing’s safety record has already been under intense scrutiny for years.
Boeing has chosen to remain silent on the matter, directing all inquiries to Southwest Airlines for details on the plane and fleet operations. Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines has assured that passengers will be accommodated on another flight to Houston, albeit with a three-hour delay.
“We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the delay, but the safety of our customers and employees is our top priority,” Southwest Airlines stated. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
Following the emergency landing, Southwest Airlines maintenance teams will conduct a thorough review of the aircraft. Despite the unexpected turn of events, the plane was deemed airworthy back in May 2015, according to FAA records. — CNN
