Southwest 737 Makes Emergency Landing at LAX After Similar Aircraft Blew its Roof
Turns out we know how Southwest Airlines keeps it ticket prices so low: Old, beater airplanes.
Southwest A Southwest Airlines 737.
We kid. But seriously, problems continued to dog the discounter over the weekend after a Southwest flight from Oakland to San Diego had to make an emergency landing at LAX.
According to Fox 11 News ...
... flight 1588 from the Bay Area had 150 on-board when a pilot reported mechanical trouble and funes and had to make an emergency landing at LAX about 8 p.m. Sunday, where rescuers were at-the-ready.
And yes, it was the same kind of 737-300 that saw its roof blow off, apparently as a result of cracks, on Friday. It didn't appear that the San Diego-bound plane had the same problems.
If you'll recall, another 737-800 had to land at a military base near Yuma, Arizona Friday after a 5-foot-long tear in its roof appeared mid-flight en route to Sacramento.
That prompted the airline to pull its 737-300 feet for extra inspection.
On Sunday the company stated that two planes appeared to have developed hairline fuselage cracks that could cause concern. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board then said another 737 had such fatigue cracks as well.
Sort of like Cher. But less safe to ride, maybe.
The company stated the 737-300s were the oldest aircraft in its fleet. About 100 flights are off the boards Monday as the company double checks its classic aircraft.
Southwest said 19 planes were being allowed to return to flight Sunday while another 79 would remain grounded for inspection.
Comforting?
Just remember -- as you enjoy top-down cruising at 35,000 feet -- you're saving money.
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