A Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by Southwest Airlines experienced an engine cowling detachment during take-off, prompting a safety investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.
On a recent Southwest Airlines flight from Denver International Airport to Houston, an engine cowling detached during take-off, striking a wing flap. This incident involved a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, an earlier model compared to the 737 Max, and occurred with 135 passengers and six crew members on board. Fortunately, the flight returned safely to Denver. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced an investigation into this incident, with the aircraft, manufactured in 2015, set for inspection by Southwest Airlines’ maintenance teams.
Boeing has directed inquiries to Southwest Airlines and has made no comment on the incident. This event adds to the challenges faced by Boeing, which has been under scrutiny due to various safety concerns and manufacturing issues. Notably, Boeing compensated Alaska Air with $160 million for losses stemming from an emergency and had nearly 200 of its 737 Max 9 jets grounded after a separate incident. The aerospace manufacturer has been working to restore its reputation following the grounding of its 737 Max planes for over 18 months due to fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.
Amid these safety and manufacturing concerns, Boeing’s CEO, David Calhoun, opted to forgo a $3 million bonus for 2023, although he received a compensation package totaling nearly $33 million in 2022, primarily in stock awards. This decision came as the company’s shares dropped 26% since January, amidst ongoing investigations. During this challenging period, Boeing’s new chairman, Steve Mollenkopf, highlighted the importance of regaining trust and reaffirmed Boeing’s commitment to safety. Boeing plans to address these concerns further at its annual online meeting on May 17.
