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Southwest Airlines Incident: Engine Fire Forces Turnaround
An alarming incident involving a Southwest Airlines plane flying from Lubbock, Texas, to Las Vegas unfolded as an engine caught fire mid-flight, prompting an immediate turnaround. The aircraft in question was an older-model Boeing 787-800, fortunately resulting in no injuries to passengers or crew.
Recent FAA Scrutiny
This occurrence comes on the heels of two other Southwest flights that underwent intense Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) scrutiny due to turbulence-related disruptions. One flight is suspected of flying too close to an airport control tower at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport, while the other was forced to make an emergency landing in Tampa, Florida, following medical emergencies involving a passenger and a flight attendant.
Passenger Eyewitness Account
According to a passenger aboard the Lubbock-to-Las Vegas flight, she recounted her experience to KABC, the local ABC affiliate. Initially uncertain about the nature of the disturbance, she sensed trouble after a loud noise resonated through the cabin shortly after takeoff. She described the moment the incident unfolded, stating, “We had gotten to the acceleration part of take-off, about to lift off, and you could hear a ‘thump’ and the plane swerved, and we came to a stop.” She further revealed that the pilot communicated that the engine had experienced an issue, causing a visible flame to emerge.
Focus on Safety Measures
Reflecting on the broader context of airline safety, the FAA had issued a directive to all airlines in 2023 to enhance their safety protocols and systems in response to a series of close calls on runways across multiple airports. Southwest Airlines’ CEO, Bob Jordan, emphasized the company’s commitment to safety during an earnings call, highlighting a dedicated day focused on reinforcing safety measures approximately a year prior.
In the past, Southwest Airlines had faced significant safety challenges that attracted federal scrutiny. However, current assessments by airlineratings.com, which evaluates factors such as pilot incidents, accident history, and compliance with major airline regulators in the US and Europe, have awarded the carrier a perfect 7/7 safety rating, indicating a notable improvement in safety performance.
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