The Boeing Company, one of the world’s largest plane manufacturers, has found itself once again under scrutiny after a Southwest Airlines flight suffered a major mechanical malfunction mid-flight. The cowling fell off one of the engines of a Boeing 737-800 while it was in the air, striking the wing and forcing the plane to land. This is only the latest in a series of serious mechanical issues that have cast doubt on Boeing’s ability to maintain quality and safety standards.

Damage to Wing and Engine on Southwest Flight

On Sunday, April 7, a Southwest Airlines 737-800 plane manufactured by Boeing took off from Denver International Airport headed towards Houston, TX. However, during takeoff, the engine cowling (the plate that covers the engine) suddenly detached and struck the wing flap, resulting in serious damage to both. As a result, the plane quickly landed, and passengers were transferred onto another flight. Thankfully, no one was injured due to this incident.

One More Serious Mechanical Failure for Boeing

Unfortunately, this is far from the first time recently that a Boeing aircraft has suffered from a serious mechanical failure on one of its passenger jets. Earlier this year, for example, a door plug fell out of one of its 737 Max planes mid-flight, requiring an emergency landing. In other previous instances in recent years, mechanical malfunctions have resulted in serious injuries and deaths, putting the manufacturer’s once sterling safety record into question.

Increased Scrutiny on Safety Standards

These incidents have highlighted what appears to be a decline in the safety standards of equipment manufactured by Boeing. While once the company was known for its intense quality assurance process and dedication to reliability and safety, it seems clear that the company has become laxer. This has invited increased scrutiny from authorities, particularly for its new 737 Max planes, which have experienced several high-profile failures across the world.

The Impact of Airplane Safety Problems

Fortunately, these sorts of issues are still relatively rare, and even in many of these high-profile incidents, most passengers got out with no serious injuries. However, people fear that there will come a time when these safety problems result in a far more serious accident. If that happens, it could be the passengers who pay the price for Boeing’s low standards.

If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should contact the Tennessee personal injury lawyers at the Keith Williams Law Group. With convenient offices located in Nashville and Lebanon, our lawyers will work with you to create a litigation strategy that protects your legal rights and serves your personal needs. For more information or a free consultation, please contact us at 615-444-2900 or visit our contact page.