Boeing Engine Cover Rips Apart During Takeoff This Morning

'Scary moments for passengers on a Southwest flight from Denver to Houston,' tweets an ABC News transportation reporter, 'when the engine cover ripped off during flight, forcing the plane to return to Denver Sunday morning.'

'Think that big circular metal panel surrounding the engine,' writes QZ — adding that after it ripped off, the engine cowling 'struck the 737-800's wing flap.'

It happened during takeoff, so the plane was towed back to the gate after returning to the airport. All passengers and crew were safe, and passengers boarded a replacement plane for their flight to Houston:

Southwest was already having a rough few weeks before this event occurred. Last Thursday, an engine on one of its Boeing 737-800 planes caught fire before taking off from an airport in Texas, and before that, two FAA-scrutinized Southwest flights were disrupted by turbulence [One last month in New York City and the other in Florida on Wednesday. 'Two hours later, an All Nippon Airways Boeing 787 reported an oil leak on arrival at Naha Airport, Japan,' adds Newsweek.].

'We apologize for the inconvenience of their delay,' Boeing said in a statement, adding that they 'place our highest priority on ultimate Safety for our Customers and Employees.

'Our Maintenance teams are reviewing the aircraft.'

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