A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 was forced to make an emergency landing at Denver International Airport after its engine cover, known as the engine cowling, ripped off mid-flight. The incident, which occurred on a Sunday, added to the growing list of mechanical issues that have been plaguing Boeing’s aircraft recently.
In a statement, Southwest Airlines said, “Our Customers will arrive at Houston Hobby on another aircraft, approximately three hours behind schedule. We apologize for the inconvenience of their delay, but place our highest priority on ultimate safety for our customers and employees.”
The aircraft, registered in February 2017 with an expiration date in 2030, had to return to Denver International Airport following the incident.
A video shared online showed a section of the plane’s engine cowling tearing away from the aircraft, leading to a mechanical issue that prompted the emergency landing.
Scary moments for passengers on a Southwest flight from Denver to Houston when the engine cover ripped off during flight , forcing the plane to return to Denver Sunday morning. pic.twitter.com/BBpCBXpTsl
— Sam Sweeney (@SweeneyABC) April 7, 2024
This incident is not an isolated one for Boeing. In January, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 planes after a section of an Alaska Airlines fuselage ripped away mid-flight. Each plane was required to undergo an eight-hour safety inspection before being allowed to carry passengers again. Boeing has been under increased scrutiny following these incidents.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary criticized the company for its “lack of attention to detail,” saying, “In 2022 and 2023, we were finding little things like spanners under the floorboards, in some cases, seat handles missing, things like that.”
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In response to the growing concerns, the FAA announced it would investigate Boeing’s manufacturing process. The probe revealed multiple instances where Boeing allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements.
The FAA also found 27 areas in Boeing’s safety procedures that were insufficient. Following the investigation, several key executives, including Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun, announced their resignations. Boeing also pledged to implement more inspections on the production line and change its quality practices.
The FAA is currently investigating the latest incident involving the Southwest Airlines Boeing 737. As the aviation industry awaits the results of the investigation, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of passengers and crew on all flights. Boeing referred Business Insider to Southwest Airlines for comment on the incident.
As the story continues to unfold, the aviation industry and passengers alike will be watching closely to see how Boeing addresses these ongoing mechanical issues and what steps it takes to prevent such incidents in the future. The ultimate goal is to ensure the safety and confidence of all those who step foot on a Boeing aircraft.
