Overview
• Operator: Southwest Airlines
• Aircraft Model: Boeing 737-700
• Registration: N288WN
• Flight Number: WN-2301
• Route: Sacramento, CA (USA) → Denver, CO (USA)
• Date: 8 February 2025
• Occupants: Passengers and crew unspecified
• Nature of Incident: Suspected engine issue
Incident Summary
Southwest Airlines flight WN-2301, operated by a Boeing 737-700 (N288WN), was departing from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) en route to Denver International Airport (DEN) when the crew identified a possible engine issue shortly after takeoff.
The aircraft was climbing out of runway 35L when the crew requested to level off at 4,000 feet, stating they were assessing the situation. Within a minute of leveling off, the crew requested to return to Sacramento, citing a suspected CFM56 engine issue.
The aircraft landed safely back on Sacramento’s runway 35L approximately 18 minutes after departure.
Sequence of Events
1. Takeoff & Initial Climb
• The aircraft departed from Sacramento’s runway 35L as per its scheduled route to Denver.
• During the initial climb, the crew requested to stop the climb at 4,000 feet, indicating they were investigating a possible issue.
2. Decision to Return
• After assessing the situation for about a minute, the crew decided to return to Sacramento due to a potential engine problem.
• The flight crew declared their intent to land back at SMF and coordinated with ATC for priority clearance.
3. Safe Landing & Inspection
• The aircraft performed a safe landing on runway 35L approximately 18 minutes after departure.
• Emergency services were likely on standby, though no visible smoke or fire was reported.
4. Passenger Re-Accommodation
• A replacement Boeing 737-700 (N416WN) was dispatched, which successfully transported passengers to Denver with a delay of approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes.
5. Aircraft Status
• As of 9 February 2025, the affected aircraft remains on the ground in Sacramento, undergoing further maintenance and inspection.
Potential Causes & Technical Analysis
While the exact cause is still under investigation, possible contributing factors include:
1. Engine Anomaly (CFM56 Series)
• Unusual engine parameters detected during climb, prompting precautionary action.
• Compressor stall, surge, or vibration issues could have led to the crew’s decision to return.
2. Sensor or Indication Malfunction
• False readings from engine sensors (e.g., EGT overlimit, oil pressure fluctuations, or vibration warnings) could have triggered concern.
3. Bird Strike or External Debris Ingestion
• Sacramento’s airfield environment poses occasional risks of wildlife strikes that could have affected the engine performance.
4. Fuel or Combustion Irregularities
• Fuel flow irregularities or compressor instability may have caused the engine to exhibit abnormal behavior during climb.
Safety Measures & Recommendations
• Thorough engine inspection of N288WN to determine the root cause.
• Data analysis from the aircraft’s flight recorder (FDR) and engine trend monitoring to check for abnormalities.
• Review of maintenance records to see if there were any pre-existing issues with the engine.
• Crew training and response validation to confirm best practices were followed in handling the situation.
Disclaimer
This report is based on available information as of 10 February 2025. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the completeness of the details cannot be guaranteed. If you are the rightful owner of any referenced materials and wish them removed, please email takedown@cockpitking.com.
