A screenshot of a social media video that shows an engine cover on a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 falling off during takeoff.
An engine cover on a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 fell off on Sunday during takeoff in Denver and struck the wing flap, prompting the US FAA to open an investigation.
No one was injured and Southwest Flight 3695 returned safely to Denver International Airport around 8:15am local time on Sunday and was towed to the gate after losing the engine cowling.
The Boeing aircraft bound for Houston Hobby Airport with 135 passengers and six crew members aboard rose to an elevation of about 3,140 meters before returning 25 minutes after takeoff.
Passengers arrived in Houston on another Southwest plane about four hours behind schedule. Southwest said maintenance teams are reviewing the aircraft.
The plane entered service in June 2015, according to FAA records. Boeing referred questions to Southwest.
The airline declined to say when the plane's engine had last had maintenance.
ABC News aired a video posted on social media platform X of the ripped engine cover flapping in the wind with a torn Southwest logo.
Boeing has come under intense criticism since a door plug panel tore off a new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 jet at 16,000 feet on January 5.
In the aftermath of that incident, the FAA grounded the MAX 9 for several weeks, barred Boeing from increasing the MAX production rate and ordered it to develop a comprehensive plan to address "systemic quality-control issues" within 90 days.