A shocking video has emerged online, showing the engine of a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 tearing apart during takeoff. The incident adds to Boeing’s list of mishaps, creating further concerns about airplane safety.
The flight returned to Denver promptly after crew members discovered that a loose metal sheet covering one of the aircraft’s engines had torn off during takeoff. The event was a nightmare for the passengers on board.
A scary video emerged on X, showing the engine of the Boeing 737-800 coming apart mid-flight. The video, posted by ABC’s chief transportation reporter, Sam Sweeney, shows the metal engine cover coming off and flapping like sheets of paper as the plane prepares to take off.
“People in the exit row across from me started yelling at the flight attendants and showing them the damage. We turned around and made a full-speed landing. The pilots did a great job on the landing.” ABC News quoted a passenger.
The flight left Denver International Airport at 7:49 a.m. local time for Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport. About 25 minutes after takeoff, the plane landed at Denver International Airport. The FAA is presently examining the event.
“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 media.
Boeing and the airline industry have been in the spotlight since January of this year when an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 made an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon after a door panel detached in flight.