Incidents continue for the American aircraft manufacturer. A Boeing 737-800 from the American company Southwest Airlines had to turn around and land on Sunday April 7 in Denver (Colorado), after an engine cowling fell during takeoff, announced the Federal Aviation Administration. civil aviation (FAA).
According to a press release from the latter, flight 3695 of the American company, which was destined for Houston, returned to Denver International Airport “after the crew reported the fall, during takeoff, of an engine cowling, which hit the wing flap” of the device. The plane was towed to the terminal, added the FAA, which will conduct an investigation. No passengers were injured, Southwest Airlines assured in a statement to CNN. “We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the delays, but we put the safety of our customers and employees at the top of our priorities”declared the company, quoted by the channel.
This incident comes after that experienced by another Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 on Thursday, which had to cancel its takeoff. after the crew [eut] reported engine problems »the FAA said in a press release.
Boeing CEO to leave at end of 2024
The American giant Boeing, which had already struggled to recover after two crashes in 2018 and 2019, which left 346 dead, is in turmoil following a succession of problems relating to quality. and safety, on its planes for more than a year. At the beginning of January, Boeing came close to disaster when a cap door came loose from the cabin in mid-flight on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9, fortunately causing only a few minor injuries.
After this incident, Boeing announced on February 21 the immediate departure of the program manager for the 737 MAX model, Ed Clark. The latter was also head of the Renton factory, not far from the group’s historic headquarters, in Seattle (Washington State), in the northwest of the country, where the final assembly of the 737 MAX 9 takes place.
A few weeks later, on March 25, it was the turn of the CEO of the American aircraft manufacturer, Dave Calhoun, to announce his departure from the company at the end of 2024. “As you all know, the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 accident was a watershed moment for Boeing”he declared in a letter addressed to employees. “We must continue to respond to this accident with humility and complete transparency. We must also demonstrate a total commitment to safety and quality at all levels of our business. »
Several investigations have also been launched, highlighting recurring problems of ” noncompliance “. The Texas Attorney General’s Office opened an investigation last month targeting Spirit AeroSystems, a Boeing subcontractor, where “recurring problems with certain parts” were spotted.