According to the FAA, the Boeing 737-800's engine cover came off during takeoff.
A Southwest Airlines passenger plane had to make an emergency landing after its engine cover came off during takeoff Sunday morning, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
The Boeing 737-800, scheduled to fly from Denver to Houston, landed safely at Denver International Airport just after 8 a.m. and was towed to the gate, the airport and airline said.
The FAA, which is currently investigating the incident, said a crew member on the flight said, “During takeoff, the engine cowling fell off and struck the wing flap.”
Southwest Airlines said in a statement that the plane “experienced a mechanical issue but landed safely.” The airline said the customer has been rebooked onto another flight and maintenance teams are currently inspecting the aircraft.
Footage taken by some passengers showed what appeared to be parts of the plane dangling and flapping in the wind.
In a video taken by passenger Lisa C., one person can be heard saying, “Everything blew up,” before several passengers can be heard cheering as the plane landed.
Lisa C. told ABC News that the engine cowling “separated within 10 minutes of the flight.”
“We all felt shock and shock. I love window seats so I looked out the window and there it was,” she said.
Another passenger, Cooper Glass, told ABC News the experience was “horrifying.”
“People in the exit row across from me started screaming at the flight attendants and showing them the damage,” Glass said.
Glass praised the pilots, saying they “did a great job on landing.”
ABC News' Sam Sweeney, Samira Said and Helena Skinner contributed to this report.
