The US aviation regulatory body has initiated a probe into a troubling incident involving a Southwest Airlines flight where the engine cover detached during ascent, impacting the wing flap. This event adds to a sequence of recent safety concerns surrounding Boeing.
The incident occurred on a Sunday Apr. 7 when Southwest Airlines flight 3695 was ascending and reached approximately 10,300 feet before safely returning to Denver International Airport 25 minutes post-takeoff. The aircraft was then towed to its gate.
Onboard the Boeing 737-800, which was en route to Houston, were 135 passengers along with six crew members; fortunately, no injuries were reported. Following the incident, the airline has stated that the aircraft is under maintenance review.
This mishap occurs amid broader challenges for Boeing, which is gearing up for a significant overhaul in its leadership structure. The outgoing CEO Dave Calhoun, alongside other high-ranking officials, have announced their departure by the end of the year. Steve Mollenkopf, the incoming board chair, has pledged thorough action to address the company’s ongoing issues.
Earlier this year, Boeing’s safety protocols were questioned again when a panel detached from an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 at around 16,000 feet. This led the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to temporarily ground the model and impose stricter quality control measures on Boeing.
The FAA has decreased Boeing’s production quota for the 737 Max planes, amid ongoing investigations by the US Justice Department into quality lapses. This scrutiny intensified following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, which led to a worldwide grounding of the 737 Max due to a critical design flaw.
Despite these challenges, Boeing’s board recently approved a significant pay raise for CEO Calhoun, increasing his compensation to a record amount, despite the possibility of him not fulfilling his term.
As the FAA continues its investigation into this and other recent engine-related incidents involving Southwest Airlines, the aviation community watches closely, hoping for swift and effective resolutions to these recurring safety issues.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, apple.news
