Southwest Airlines Flight 3006, a Boeing 737-700, was forced to return to Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport shortly after takeoff due to a reported engine fire. The flight, which was bound for Los Cabos, Mexico, encountered the issue around 11:15 a.m. shortly after lifting off from the runway.
Within minutes of detecting the engine fire, the flight crew initiated emergency procedures, turning the aircraft around to return to the airport. The aircraft safely landed on a taxiway about 15 minutes after the incident, where emergency slides were deployed to evacuate all 134 passengers. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the passengers or crew.
Houston Fire Department Airport Rescue Firefighters responded swiftly to extinguish the engine fire and a small grass fire near the runway caused by the incident. After evacuation, the passengers were safely transported back to the terminal and were later accommodated on a new flight to their original destination.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the cause of the engine fire, though the airline has expressed confidence in the professionalism of the flight crew. Southwest Airlines commended the crew’s swift action in ensuring the safety of all passengers and emphasized their commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards. The airline also reassured travelers that the safety of its passengers is always their top priority.
