A Southwest Airlines flight encountered an engine issue shortly after departing from Houston Hobby Airport on April 17. The flight was en route to Los Cabos International Airport in Mexico when the problem forced the aircraft to return to its departure point. The Boeing 737-700, carrying 134 passengers, landed safely at around 11:30, with no injuries reported.
Southwest Airlines issued a statement expressing gratitude for the professionalism of the flight crew and reiterated the importance of safety: “We appreciate the professionalism of our flight crew in responding to this situation. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees.”
According to Flightradar24, the aircraft was below 3,000 feet when it made the decision to turn back to Houston. The airport’s fire department was quick to respond, extinguishing the engine fire and a small grass fire near the runway. The incident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The incident took place on flight WN 3006, a daily service between Houston and Los Cabos. The aircraft involved, a Boeing 737-700 registered as N7724A, was delivered in 2009 and is part of Southwest’s all-Boeing 737 fleet.
Midair engine shutdowns are not rare, with similar incidents reported earlier this year involving airlines such as Delta and United. These incidents highlight the importance of cockpit crew training, as aircraft are often able to land safely despite engine issues.
The Boeing 737 is a common aircraft type operated by Southwest, with the 737-700 being the oldest and largest subfleet. Southwest’s current fleet includes 355 Boeing 737-700s, 203 Boeing 737-800s, and 258 Boeing 737-8 MAXs.
###
