A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 comes at Daniel K. Inouye Worldwide Airport on January 20, 2024 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Kevin Carter | Getty Photos
A Southwest Airways flight returned to Denver International Airport Sunday morning soon after a Boeing engine cowling fell off the aircraft and struck a wing flap for the duration of takeoff, the Federal Aviation Administration mentioned.
The Boeing 737-800 plane was on its way to Houston’s William P. Pastime Airport. Southwest stated prospects on the flight transferred to a distinctive aircraft and had been scheduled to arrive at their vacation spot 3 hrs late.
In response to a request for remark, Boeing pointed to Southwest’s statement.
“Our Maintenance groups are reviewing the plane,” Southwest mentioned.
The aircraft malfunction comes as the FAA investigates Southwest for a different incident in March. In that incident, a Southwest flight strayed off class and flew near to the air visitors command tower at LaGuardia Airport as it tried a landing in New York.
Meanwhile, Boeing is busy with intensified regulatory scrutiny after a January incident when a person of its aircraft doorways flew off in the center of an Alaska Airways flight.
The company’s quality management difficulties have spiraled into safety problems for both Boeing and airways these kinds of as Southwest, which use its planes.
Boeing deliveries have slowed in modern months and the long-awaited FAA certification of its 737 Max 10 product faces continued delays. The firm’s chief government, Dave Calhoun, announced in March that he would move down, along with various other management alterations.
Southwest and United Airlines have equally mentioned that Boeing’s troubles have rippled into their possess corporations, forcing them to slash down on flights and selecting.
