Passengers on board a Southwest Airlines flight witnessed a terrifying moment when the engine cowling fell off during takeoff and struck the wing flap.
Footage posted on X showed the ripped engine cover flapping in the wind with a torn Southwest logo.
There were 135 passengers and six crew members in the aircraft. The mishap took place amid increasing safety concerns with Boeing jets.
According to Reuters, no one was injured and Southwest Flight 3695 returned safely to Denver International Airport around 8:15 a.m. local time (1415 GMT) on Sunday and was towed to the gate after losing the engine cowling.
A Southwest spokesperson told The New York Post that the incident was the result of a “mechanical issue” on the plane, which was manufactured in 2017.
"Southwest Flight 3695 returned to Denver International Airport this morning and landed safely after experiencing a mechanical issue. Our Customers will arrive at Houston Hobby on another aircraft, approximately three hours behind schedule,” a Southwest spokesperson told The Post.
After the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a probe into the incident.
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