A Boeing aircraft operated by Southwest Airlines in the United States was forced to return to Denver International Airport after the hood fell off during takeoff, and the scattered parts subsequently hit the wing flaps of the 737-800 aircraft. At the time of the accident, Southwest Airlines Flight 3695 was heading to Houston's William P. Hobby Airport, which was investigating the accident, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. All passengers and crew on board were unharmed, and the plane returned to the airport at around 8:15 a.m. local time and was towed to the gate, where passengers boarded an alternative flight.
Southwest Airlines told local television station that its maintenance team was inspecting the damaged Boeing plane.
The fairing is the removable cover of an aircraft engine, that large round metal plate that we can see around the engine body, and the fairing is used to cool the engine and reduce drag.
Prior to this incident, Southwest Airlines had already had a rough few weeks. Last Thursday, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 caught fire in its engine before takeoff at a Texas airport, after two Southwest Airlines flights investigated by the FAA were disrupted due to turbulence.
Boeing certainly didn't need more bad news, but it backfired. The fallout and scrutiny of Boeing has not abated in the aftermath of the Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 door plug explosion in January, losing a lot of money and consumer confidence in the process.