Flight Details
Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-7H4 Operator: Southwest Airlines Registration: N7724A Flight Number: WN3006 Route: William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), Houston, Texas to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), Mexico Date of Incident: 17 April 2025 Total Occupants: 134 (passengers and crew) Weather Conditions: Daytime, visual meteorological conditions; light surface winds; no adverse weather reported
Introduction
On 17 April 2025, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 departing Houston Hobby Airport experienced a right engine failure and fire during initial climb. Flight WN3006, bound for San José del Cabo, declared an emergency shortly after take-off from runway 22. The crew shut down the affected engine, levelled off at 3,000 feet, and returned to Hobby Airport for an emergency landing approximately 30 minutes after departure. Following touchdown, the aircraft was evacuated via emergency slides on a taxiway. No injuries were reported, but fire crews responded to extinguish an engine fire and a secondary grass fire near the runway. The FAA is investigating the incident as a serious inflight powerplant failure.
Sequence of Events
Flight WN3006 departed runway 22 at Hobby Airport on a scheduled international flight to Los Cabos, Mexico. During the initial climb-out, the flight crew reported a failure of the number two engine (right-hand CFM56-7B). The crew immediately declared an emergency with ATC, advising of a loss of engine thrust and a possible fire indication.
The aircraft levelled off at 3,000 feet, entered a series of delay vectors to complete emergency checklists, and began preparations for a return to the departure airport. The right engine remained shut down for the remainder of the flight, and the crew coordinated with ATC for a priority return and emergency services deployment.
At approximately 11:45 a.m. local time, the aircraft landed safely back on runway 22. The aircraft vacated the runway at the end and came to a stop on a taxiway. The flight crew initiated an emergency evacuation using the forward and aft slides, and all passengers and crew disembarked safely.
Firefighting teams responded to extinguish residual flames from the right engine as well as a small grass fire near the runway, possibly ignited by hot debris or engine exhaust.
Crew & Communication
The crew followed standard emergency protocols, executing a safe shutdown of the right engine and managing the aircraft under single-engine conditions. Communications with Houston ATC remained professional and controlled, with the flight receiving immediate priority handling.
The decision to level off at a low altitude rather than continue climbing was consistent with single-engine performance optimisation and maintaining access to the departure runway. The crew’s decision to delay landing until all checklists were completed and emergency services were in position demonstrated operational discipline.
Post-landing, the captain ordered an evacuation as a precautionary measure, even though the fire was no longer active upon landing. The slides were deployed, and ground coordination ensured safe dispersal of passengers on the taxiway.
Aircraft Systems & Technical Analysis
The Boeing 737-700 is powered by two CFM56-7B engines. The right engine failed during climb and was reported to have caught fire, a rare but serious event in turbine engine operations. The cause of the fire is not yet confirmed, but likely scenarios include:
Uncontained failure of internal components (bearing, turbine, or compressor section) Fuel line rupture or leakage Oil system fire from accessory gearbox or pressurised supply lines Bird ingestion or FOD (foreign object damage) during the takeoff roll
The onboard fire detection system would have alerted the crew through cockpit ECAM indications, prompting an engine shutdown and activation of the fire suppression system. The fire was successfully extinguished in flight, though flare-ups may have occurred after landing, prompting ground crews to take further action.
The FAA reported that passengers were evacuated on a taxiway, indicating the aircraft remained fully controllable and did not suffer landing gear, brake, or control surface impairment.
Minor structural or nacelle damage may have occurred to the right engine cowling or under-wing components from the thermal event.
Passenger Experience & Cabin Conditions
Passengers onboard reported a loud bang and a sudden vibration following take-off. Those seated on the right side of the aircraft observed flames or smoke coming from the engine. Cabin crew responded quickly, providing instructions while the flight crew managed the emergency.
Following landing, the evacuation was orderly, though rapid, with passengers descending the emergency slides and moving away from the aircraft. No injuries were reported during the evacuation process.
Passengers were bused to the terminal and later rebooked on a replacement aircraft. Southwest Airlines issued a public statement confirming all passengers were safe and that the incident was under investigation.
Emergency Response & Aftermath
Emergency responders at Hobby Airport were alerted during the aircraft’s return and staged alongside runway 22. Upon landing, they moved in to monitor the aircraft and extinguish any remaining engine flames.
A small grass fire, believed to be caused by engine debris or residual heat from exhaust gases, was extinguished near the runway edge.
The aircraft remained parked at a secure remote stand pending technical inspection by Southwest maintenance and FAA investigators. The right engine will undergo borescope and teardown analysis to determine the root cause of the failure and fire.
A replacement aircraft, another 737-700 registered N447WN, resumed the flight to San José del Cabo with a delay of just under four hours.
Investigation Status
The Federal Aviation Administration is leading the investigation into the engine failure and associated fire. Flight data and cockpit voice recorders have been preserved for analysis, and engine teardown will be conducted in cooperation with CFM International.
Investigators will focus on:
Engine performance parameters during takeoff Oil pressure, temperature, and vibration data Fire detection and suppression system activation Maintenance records and recent inspections of the failed engine Possible ingestion of foreign objects or wildlife
No preliminary findings have been released, and the NTSB has not yet announced formal involvement, although it may participate given the nature of the engine failure and evacuation.
Root Cause & Contributing Factors
Although the investigation remains ongoing, early indicators suggest a mechanical failure within the right engine that either resulted in or led to a fire. Contributing factors could include:
Component fatigue or undetected wear in high-temperature zones Compromise of fuel or oil lines under pressure Ingestion of debris on the runway or taxiway Sensor failure that delayed early detection
The prompt detection of the failure and successful use of suppression systems suggest the engine’s built-in safety features performed as designed.
Safety Recommendations & Industry Impact
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the FAA may issue recommendations to:
Re-examine inspection intervals or techniques for CFM56 hot-section components Increase awareness around bird or FOD risks at high-density airports Enhance guidance for evacuation procedures following engine fire suppression
Southwest Airlines is expected to conduct an internal safety audit and assist with the FAA’s root cause analysis. If a specific defect or service bulletin is identified, other operators of the 737-700 series may be required to comply with inspection protocols.
Conclusion
The Southwest Airlines flight WN3006 engine fire incident is a textbook example of flight crew discipline and procedural integrity in handling an in-flight emergency. Despite the severity of the right engine failure, the aircraft returned safely, and all passengers disembarked without injury.
The investigation will now determine the origin of the fire and whether systemic maintenance, manufacturing, or environmental factors contributed to the failure. The incident serves as a reminder of the critical importance of engine condition monitoring, rapid crew response, and coordinated emergency services.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information and reports at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness of the information provided.
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