A Southwest Airlines aircraft was grounded for two days in Austin due to a significant event happening to one of it’s engines.
The airline’s Boeing 737-700 (registration N7855A) was forced to abort its climb and return to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on 4 June after the crew identified a problem with the aircraft’s right-hand CFM56 engine shortly after departure.
The aircraft, operating as flight WN-375 from Austin to Phoenix, Arizona, had departed runway 18L and climbed to approximately 13,000 feet before the crew made the decision to halt the ascent.
Facing an engine issue on the starboard side, the pilots turned the aircraft around and began preparations for a return to the airport.
Vectors Around Austin and Checklists
The crew were given delay vectors and routed around weather in the area while they worked through the relevant checklists.
Crucially, the pilots reported no engine fire indication at any stage, though they requested that emergency services be on standby to inspect the aircraft upon landing.
The Boeing landed safely on runway 18R approximately 40 minutes after its original departure, bringing the situation to a controlled and uneventful conclusion.
Emergency services met the aircraft on the runway and conducted an inspection lasting around eight minutes before the plane was cleared to taxi to the apron.
Metal Debris Found During Post Flight Inspection in Austin
The seriousness of the situation became clearer following the post flight inspection.
The FAA confirmed that the examination revealed metal debris along with visible damage to the right engine, indicating a significant mechanical failure had occurred during or shortly after takeoff.
The occurrence aircraft, which first flew on 4 January 2005 and carries manufacturer serial number 29357, remains on the ground in Austin more than 26 hours after landing.
The Boeing 737-700 had been leased to Southwest Airlines since January 2017, entering service with the carrier in June of that year.
Passengers Rerouted on Replacement Aircraft
Passengers travelling to Phoenix were not left stranded.
A replacement Boeing 737-700, registered N920WN, was dispatched to operate the route, eventually arriving in Phoenix with a delay of approximately three and a half hours.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of robust crew training and emergency procedures, with the flight deck team handling the developing situation efficiently and returning the aircraft and its occupants safely to the ground.
The impacted aircraft was grounded in Austin for around two days before returning back to commercial service.
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