Austin, United States: A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 operating a scheduled flight from Austin, Texas, to Phoenix, Arizona, returned to its departure airport shortly after takeoff after the flight crew reported a problem with one of the aircraft’s engines.
The incident occurred on June 4, 2026, involving Southwest Flight WN375. According to available flight information, the 21-year-old Boeing 737 departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at approximately 11:53 a.m. local time and initially climbed to about 13,000 feet while en route to Phoenix. During the climb, the pilots reported issues with the aircraft’s right-hand engine and requested a return to Austin.
The crew did not immediately land because weather conditions in the Austin area required the aircraft to remain airborne while awaiting a suitable opportunity to return. The aircraft descended to a lower altitude and remained in the vicinity of the airport before being cleared for approach.
The Boeing 737 landed safely back at Austin approximately 40 minutes after departure. Following the landing, emergency personnel conducted an inspection of the aircraft on the runway as a precautionary measure. No fire was detected and no injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
After receiving clearance from airport emergency responders, the aircraft taxied back to the terminal under its own power, where passengers disembarked normally.
A subsequent inspection identified damage to the right engine. The U.S. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later confirmed that investigators found “metal debris and damage to the right engine.” Authorities have not disclosed the source of the debris, and the cause of the engine malfunction remains under investigation.
Reports indicate that the flight crew did not receive an engine fire warning during the event, suggesting the problem may have been detected through abnormal engine indications, vibrations, performance parameters, or physical evidence rather than an onboard fire alert.
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-700, one of the older variants in Southwest Airlines’ fleet. The jet is reported to be approximately 21 years old.
The FAA has opened an investigation into the occurrence. As of the latest available information, the aircraft remained out of service pending further inspection and maintenance actions. No injuries were reported
