A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration N8668A performing flight WN-3695 from Denver,CO to Houston Hobby,TX (USA), was departing Denver’s runway 25 when the access doors of the right hand engine (CFM56) were torn off the engine. On climb out the crew advised ATC that some engine panels had come off during departure and returned to Denver for a safe landing on runway 34L about 30 minutes after departure.
The FAA reported: “Southwest Airlines Flight 3695 returned safely to Denver International airport around 8:15 a.m. local time on Sunday, April 7, after the crew reported the engine cowling fell off during takeoff and struck the wing flap. The Boeing 737-800 was towed to the gate. The aircraft was headed to William P. Hobby Airport in Houston. The FAA will investigate.”
A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration N8523W reached Houston with a delay of about 3 hours.
The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Denver about 5:15 hours after landing back.
Source – Aviation Herold
