Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 Incident: Engine Cover Loss Sparks FAA Probe

A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 plane heading to Houston had to turn back to Denver International Airport on Sunday. The reason? Its engine cover came off and hit the wing flag. The Federal Aviation Administration will look into the incident.

Boeing aircraft have been experiencing mechanical problems with various airlines lately. Despite facing safety concerns for years, the company has not addressed the recent issues. When asked for comment, Boeing redirected inquiries to Southwest Airlines for details on plane and fleet operations.

Southwest told CNN that passengers would be transferred to a different plane heading to Houston, causing a delay of around three hours. The airline expressed regret for the inconvenience but emphasized that safety for customers and staff is their top concern. Southwest also confirmed that there were no injuries during the incident.

Southwest announced that their maintenance teams will inspect the aircraft, which had been in the air for 35 minutes before having to return and land. According to FAA records, the plane was determined to be airworthy in May 2015.

This report was contributed to by Eva Rothenberg, Sarah Dewberry, and Chris Boyette.

Editor's P/S:

This incident highlights the ongoing safety concerns surrounding Boeing aircraft. Despite facing scrutiny for years, the company has yet to adequately address the mechanical issues plaguing its planes. The fact that the engine cover came loose and struck the wing flag on a Southwest Airlines flight is a serious matter that could have had catastrophic consequences. The FAA's investigation into this incident is crucial to determine the root cause and ensure that necessary measures are taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

It is also concerning that Boeing has not responded directly to inquiries about this incident, instead deferring to Southwest Airlines. This lack of accountability and transparency from the manufacturer raises questions about its commitment to passenger safety. Boeing must take responsibility for its aircraft and work diligently to address these recurring mechanical problems. The safety of air travel depends on manufacturers prioritizing the well-being of passengers and crew above all else.