Southwest Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing After “Engine Issue”

A Southwest Airlines flight traveling from Houston, Texas, to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, made an emergency landing on Thursday.

The aircraft returned to Houston after an engine fire.

The flight landed safely at Hobby Airport, and passengers evacuated via slides.

“A Southwest Airlines flight SWA3006 bound for Mexico was forced to make an emergency landing after an engine suffered malfunction shortly after takeoff from Houston, TX. All the 134 passengers safely evacuated the plane down slides without any injuries,” FL360aero wrote.

“The flight was leaving Hobby Airport on its way to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, when it was forced to return around 11:15 a.m. Firefighters extinguished the blaze as well as a small grass fire near the runway, the fire department said in a statement,” it added.

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A Southwest Airlines flight SWA3006 bound for Mexico was forced to make an emergency landing after an engine suffered malfunction shortly after takeoff from Houston, TX.

All the 134 passengers safely evacuated the plane down slides without any injuries.

The flight was leaving… pic.twitter.com/h42uYzHg8z

— FL360aero (@fl360aero) April 18, 2025

Per ABC News:

The cause of the fire was being investigated, the FAA said.

The airline was working to get all passengers to their final destination in Mexico.

“We appreciate the professionalism of our flight crew in responding to this situation. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees,” Southwest Airlines said.

The engine fire comes as air travel is under heightened scrutiny following a series of crashes and mishaps. Federal officials have tried to reassure travelers that flying is the safest mode of transportation, and statistics support that.

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Southwest Airlines flight evacuated after making an emergency landing at Houston’s Hobby Airport.

The Houston Fire Department said that at about 11:15 a.m., the plane departing from Hobby was returning due to a reported engine fire. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire,… pic.twitter.com/Z3F962PBLY

— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) April 17, 2025

KHOU reports:

According to traffic control audio obtained via liveatc.net, the pilot declared an emergency and said they lost an engine.

The runway was shut down while the plane returned to the airport.

Houston Fire Department officials said they responded to Hobby after getting reports of an engine fire. Their airport firefighters were ready when the plane landed and were able to put the fire out. It also caused a small grass fire near the runway that they were able to put out, too.

The plane was evacuated and the passengers were escorted back to the airport.

There were no reports of injuries.

Southwest Airlines issued this statement:

“Southwest Airlines Flight 3006 landed safely at William P. Houston Hobby Airport this morning after returning due to a reported engine issue. The Crew followed procedures and assisted all 134 passengers in evacuating the aircraft. Southwest is working to accommodate its Customers to their final destination of Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos, Mexico. We appreciate the professionalism of our Flight Crew in responding to this situation. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees.”

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