A Boeing 737-800 Southwest flight from Denver lost an engine cover, the FAA is investigating

New York
CNN
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A Houston-bound Boeing 737-800 operated by Southwest Airlines returned safely to Denver International Airport on Sunday after an engine cowling fell off and struck a wing spoiler, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The agency said it would investigate the matter.

In a recorded air traffic control audio recording, one pilot said that “several passengers and flight attendants heard something loudly hitting the wing.”

In a statement to CNN, Southwest said passengers would be boarding another plane to Houston and would be about three hours behind schedule.

“We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the delay, but we place the highest priority on the utmost safety of our customers and employees,” the statement read. Southwest said no injuries were reported.

Southwest said its maintenance teams would review the plane, which departed at 7:49 a.m. local time and returned at 8:15 a.m. The flight reached an altitude of about 10,000 feet.

The plane was deemed airworthy in May 2015, according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records.

Boeing declined to comment and referred CNN to Southwest for information about aircraft and fleet operations.

This is the latest in a A series of mechanical issues Boeing aircraft have been hit across a range of airlines over the past few months even as the company has faced years of scrutiny Regarding the safety of its aircraft.