Southwest Airlines Flight Faces Emergency after Engine Cover Detaches

In a startling incident early Sunday morning, passengers aboard a Southwest Airlines flight from Denver to Houston experienced unexpected turbulence when the engine cowling of their Boeing 737-800 was torn off. The flight, numbered WN-3695, had to make an emergency diversion back to Denver International Airport after the right-hand engine's cover detached at approximately 10,000 feet altitude.

The aircraft, an eight-year-old Boeing 737-800, had departed at around 7:48 am and was promptly diverted back, ensuring a safe landing at Denver. Passengers inside the plane captured dramatic footage of the engine cowling being ripped apart as the plane touched down, showcasing the severity of the incident.

Remarkably, there were no injuries reported, and the plane was towed to the gate, allowing passengers to deplane normally. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has since confirmed that it will be conducting an investigation into the incident.

Engine cowling separations, while rare, are not unprecedented in the aviation industry, affecting both Boeing 737s and Airbus A320 series aircraft. The cowling is secured by a clip for easy access during routine maintenance, suggesting the cause may be related to the clip not being properly secured post-inspection.

Such separations had become a notable issue on Airbus A320 series aircraft, leading to a redesign for better security. Pilots perform a pre-departure inspection to identify such issues, though an unsecured cowling might not always be apparent.

Southwest Airlines responded to the incident, stating: "Southwest Flight 3695 returned to Denver International Airport this morning and landed safely after experiencing a mechanical issue." They also assured that passengers would be accommodated on another aircraft for their journey to Houston, with maintenance teams closely reviewing the aircraft involved.