Boeing engine cover comes off; the regulator will investigate

Washington. The United States Federal Aviation Administration said Sunday that it will investigate the detachment of an engine cover from a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 during takeoff in Denver, which struck the wing spoiler.

Southwest Flight 3695 returned safely to Denver International Airport at 8:15 a.m. local time on Sunday and was towed to the gate. The Boeing plane, with 135 passengers and six crew members on board, was headed to Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport.

There were no injuries.

Southwest said it was flying passengers on another plane to Houston about three hours late. The firm added that maintenance teams are inspecting the aircraft.

The plane entered service in June 2015, according to FAA records. Boeing referred questions to Southwest for information about the airline’s aircraft and fleet operations.

The airline declined to say when the plane’s engine had last been serviced.

ABS News broadcast a video posted on social media platform X of the torn engine cover flapping in the wind with a torn Southwest logo.

Bad timing for Boeing

Boeing has been the subject of intense criticism since a door panel fell off a new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 at an altitude of 16,000 feet on January 5.

In the wake of that incident, the FAA grounded the MAX 9 for several weeks, prohibited Boeing from increasing the production rate of the MAX, and ordered it to develop a comprehensive plan to address “systemic quality control issues” within 90 days. .

Boeing’s production has fallen below the FAA’s maximum of 38 MAX planes per month. The Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into the MAX 9 incident.

The 737-800 is a previous generation of the current best-selling 737 MAX.

Recent problems

The FAA is investigating Southwest’s other recent Boeing engine problems.

On Thursday, a Southwest Flight 737 aborted takeoff and returned to the gate at Lubbock Airport in Texas after the crew reported engine problems. The FAA is also investigating a March 25 Southwest Flight 737 that returned to the Austin, Texas, airport after the crew reported a possible engine problem.

On March 22, a Southwest flight 737-800 returned to Fort Lauderdale airport after the crew reported an engine problem. It is also being reviewed by the FAA.