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A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 taking off from Denver International Airport had to make an emergency landing shortly after departure due to an engine cowling blowing off.
Video from a passenger showed the cowling, which is an engine cover removed for maintenance, peeling off and detaching from the engine.
“We apologize for the inconvenience of their delay, but we place our highest priority on the Safety of our Customers and Employees. Our Maintenance teams are reviewing the aircraft,” Southwest stated.
No one was injured but the flight was delayed about three hours while passengers continued on another plane.
This is the latest in a string of recent safety incidents involving Boeing commercial aircraft, raising additional concerns on top of prior issues with the company’s planes.
Aviation authorities will investigate what caused the cowling to come off during takeoff.