A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 experienced an engine cowling falling off during takeoff, prompting an FAA investigation. This incident is the latest in a series of Boeing aircraft issues in 2024, including an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 door plug panel blowing off mid-flight and other incidents involving loose bolts, engine failures, and technical issues. The FAA is reviewing multiple recent incidents, and NTSB data shows a total of 29 Boeing plane incidents globally from January 1 to April 7, 2024.
A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 flight had to return to Denver International Airport after an engine cowling fell off during takeoff, striking a wing flap, according to the FAA. This incident adds to a series of safety concerns for Boeing, as the company faces intensified regulatory scrutiny and delivery slowdowns. Southwest and United Airlines have both reported that Boeing's issues have impacted their businesses, leading to flight reductions and hiring cuts.
A Boeing 737 flight from Lubbock, Texas to Las Vegas was delayed due to an engine fire, with all passengers reported safe. This incident adds to a series of recent issues involving Boeing 737 aircraft, including a door plug flying out, "stuck" rudder pedals, and a missing panel. Despite these incidents, experts maintain that air travel remains safe, attributing heightened awareness to social media and the internet.
A United Airlines flight from Frankfurt to San Francisco was diverted back to Frankfurt after a broken toilet caused its contents to overflow into the cabin. Passengers were offered hotel rooms and rebooked on other flights. This incident adds to a series of recent chaotic events for United Airlines, including flights being diverted due to high winds, maintenance issues, and a lost wheel during takeoff. The airline's CEO emphasized the importance of safety, while Boeing has also faced problems with its planes in recent months.
Despite recent incidents involving panels and tires falling off planes, flying remains statistically safe, with the last fatal crash of a U.S. airliner occurring 15 years ago. While there has been a spate of close calls and concerns about air safety, flying is still safer than driving. Boeing's reputation has been marred by manufacturing flaws and incidents, prompting increased oversight from the Federal Aviation Administration. Issues with flight controls, engines, and structural integrity are the most concerning, while routine incidents like cracked windshields pose minimal safety threats.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby reassures customers that safety is the airline's top priority after a series of recent incidents, including a panel falling off a plane and a jet losing a wheel on takeoff. Kirby announced plans to review safety training for employees and implement changes, such as additional training for pilots and revised curriculum for newly hired mechanics. Despite the incidents gaining attention, a former airline pilot and safety consultant believes there is no major safety issue at United and that the media is amplifying the events with extra scrutiny.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby addressed safety concerns in a memo to customers following a series of recent aviation incidents, emphasizing that safety is the airline's top priority. Kirby acknowledged the attention-grabbing events and outlined safety enhancements already in progress, including additional pilot training and centralized maintenance technician curriculum. The incidents involved United flights, including a Boeing-related incident where a 25-year-old Boeing 737-800 was found to be missing an external panel. Kirby expressed confidence in learning from these incidents and continuing to prioritize safety.
Boeing has faced a tumultuous week, including the death of a whistleblower, a DOJ investigation into an Alaska Airlines flight, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner nosedive, multiple aviation incidents involving Boeing planes, and accusations of tampering with security footage. The company has been under scrutiny since the 2018 and 2019 crashes, and recent events have renewed concerns about safety and transparency.
A United Airlines flight departing from San Francisco International Airport landed in Oregon with a missing external panel, which was only discovered after landing. The missing panel, identified as the wing-to-body fairing, was located on the underside of the aircraft. The Boeing 737-800 had 139 passengers and six crew members on board, and United Airlines has committed to thoroughly examining the plane, performing repairs, and conducting an investigation into the incident. This is the latest in a series of incidents involving United Airlines flights departing from SFO.
Boeing faces a fresh wave of bad press as a series of incidents, including a Dreamliner "nose dive" and a whistleblower's death, keep the airplane manufacturer in the headlines. Multiple airlines, including United and Southwest, are experiencing troubles due to Boeing's ongoing challenges, with United even changing its order from 737 Max 10s to Max 9s. These incidents add to Boeing's struggle to repair its image following previous mishaps.
A United Airlines Boeing 777-300 plane en route from Sydney to San Francisco turned back due to a "maintenance issue," with video footage showing fluid leaking from the wheel area during takeoff. The plane, carrying 167 passengers and 16 crew members, landed back in Sydney about two hours later and was met by fire crews. This incident follows recent aviation mishaps involving Boeing planes, including a United Airlines flight losing a wheel during takeoff in San Francisco and a LATAM Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner experiencing a "strong movement" causing injuries to passengers.
A United Airlines Boeing 777-300 flight from Sydney to San Francisco was forced to return to Australia due to a mid-air fuel leak, marking the fifth incident for the airline in less than a week. This comes amidst a series of mishaps involving Boeing aircraft, including emergency landings, hydraulic system issues, and a plane going off a runway. Boeing is implementing weekly compliance checks and additional equipment audits to address quality problems, following the discovery of numerous issues in the production process of its 737 MAX jets by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Boeing's stock slump has surpassed 25% this year as the Justice Department opens a criminal investigation into an accident involving an Alaska Airlines 737 Max flight. The investigation deepens the crisis surrounding the company, which has faced increased scrutiny from regulators, legislators, and the public. The incident, along with a string of unrelated aviation incidents, has put pressure on Boeing's safety practices and manufacturing quality. The company's cooperation with investigations and its overall safety culture are under scrutiny, as regulators aim to define milestones with Boeing over the next 30 days.
About 50 passengers were injured, with a dozen hospitalized, on a LATAM Airlines flight from Australia to New Zealand due to a "strong movement" on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. This incident adds to a series of safety-related events involving Boeing planes, including engine fires, cabin fumes, and runway incidents, raising concerns about aviation safety.
A United Airlines flight bound for Mexico City from San Francisco made an emergency landing in Los Angeles due to a hydraulics issue, marking the fourth emergency involving a United Airlines flight this week. No injuries were reported among the 110 people on board, and passengers were offered an alternative flight to Mexico. The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the emergency landing, which comes after other incidents including a plane rolling off a runway in Houston, a tire loss during takeoff in San Francisco, and an engine fire on a flight from Houston to Fort Myers.
