HOUSTON — An unexpected incident unfolded on Thursday when a Southwest Airlines flight experienced an engine fire, prompting a return to a Houston airport and an emergency evacuation.
The aircraft, which had just departed from Hobby Airport bound for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, was forced to make an urgent return around 11:15 a.m. due to the blaze, the Houston Fire Department reported.
Upon the plane’s touchdown, firefighters swiftly intervened to put out the engine fire, also attending to a minor grass fire that had erupted near the runway, the department detailed in their statement.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the aftermath. The flight crew efficiently assisted the 134 passengers in evacuating the aircraft, Southwest Airlines revealed in their own statement.
According to an email from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), passengers disembarked the plane on a taxiway at the airport.
The FAA is currently conducting an investigation to determine what caused the engine fire.
Southwest Airlines is actively working to ensure that all passengers reach their intended destination in Mexico.
“We express our gratitude to our flight crew for their professionalism in handling this situation. Above all, the safety of our customers and employees remains paramount to Southwest,” the airline emphasized.
This engine fire incident occurs amid heightened awareness of air travel safety following multiple aviation accidents and incidents. Federal authorities are striving to reinforce travelers’ confidence, maintaining that air travel remains the most secure form of transportation, a fact supported by statistical data.