Passengers on the Southwest flight evacuated after the engine firefighter returns
HOSTON (AP) — Southwest Airlines flights must evacuate Thursday after a fire in the engine forced it to return to Houston airport.
According to the Houston Fire Department, the flight left Hobby Airport on its way to Mexico’s Cabo San Lucas, when it was forced to return to 11:15 a.m. due to the fire.
Firefighters put out the fire and grass fire near the runway when the plane landed.
No injuries. Southwest Airlines said in a statement that the pilots helped 134 passengers evacuate the plane.
The Federal Aviation Administration said in an email that passengers exited the plane in the taxi lane at the airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it is investigating the cause of the fire.
The airline is working to bring all passengers to their final destination in Mexico.
“We appreciate the professionalism of the pilots in dealing with this situation. Nothing is more important in the Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees,” Southwest said.
After a series of crashes and accidents, the engine fire broke out as air travel was under high scrutiny. Federal officials have tried to assure travelers that flight is the safest mode of transportation, and statistics support this.
