Federal authorities have initiated an investigation into an engine fire incident reported on a Southwest Airlines plane, prompting the aircraft to abort takeoff and return to the gate at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport in Texas on Thursday.
Southwest Airlines plane (Credits: NBC)Southwest Airlines disclosed on Friday that the pilots received an indication of a potential engine issue, leading the Boeing 737 to taxi back to the terminal at the Lubbock airport.
The Lubbock fire department confirmed the incident online, stating that they extinguished a fire in one of the two engines. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed its involvement in investigating the incident.
Lubbock airport (Credits: KLBK)The flight, bound for Las Vegas, had 154 passengers and a crew of six onboard, Southwest Airlines confirmed. A replacement aircraft was flown in from Dallas to resume the journey on Thursday night.
The aircraft involved was identified as a Boeing 737-800, an older model distinct from the 737 Max. The engines are manufactured by CFM International, a joint venture between General Electric and France’s Safran S.A.