Summary
- An engine problem forced a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 to abandon its takeoff roll.
- The aircraft eventually returned to the gate, with the airline deploying another 737-800, to take travelers to Las Vegas.
- Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB) is a small airport in northern Texas.
A Southwest Boeing 737-800 was forced to abandon its takeoff roll from Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB) after the pilots of the aircraft received an alert about a potential engine issue. The aircraft remains at LBB after the incident.
Abandoning its takeoff roll
According to the flight’s history on Flightradar24, the Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800, registered as N8623F, was scheduled to depart LBB at 17:50 local time (UTC -5), with the aircraft still taxiing to runway 17R at the time. It lined up with the runway’s center line around 17:54, immediately beginning its takeoff roll.
Photo: Flightadar24
However, as the Boeing 737-800 rolled down the runway, the pilots abandoned the takeoff roll and stopped on an adjacent taxiway. Pictures shared on social media, including X, formerly known as Twitter, showed emergency services near the aircraft that had stopped on the taxiway.
FAA Is Investigating A Southwest Airlines LGA Air Traffic Control Close Call
Replacement aircraft flying to Las Vegas
A passenger who was onboard the Boeing 737-800 told KTVN that they heard a loud sound, with the pilots hitting the brakes, stopping the aircraft in its tracks. According to the traveler, the airport’s fire department escorted the Southwest Airlines jet back to the gates.
Meanwhile, another passenger said that as the aircraft began accelerating, they felt a thump, with the Boeing 737-800 swerving briefly before it came to a stop. According to them, the pilots explained that an engine possibly ingested something, which could have resulted in a potential compressor stall/surge or an engine flameout.
Photo: Southwest Airlines
Nevertheless, Southwest Airlines deployed another Boeing 737-800, registered as N8548P, to complete flight WN1928 to Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). The aircraft departed LBB at 21:10, landing at the latter airport at 20:55 local time (UTC -7).
Related
How To Fly Southwest Airlines To Las Vegas
Harry Reid International Airport is one of the carrier’s most popular destinations.
Small Texas airport
According to data presented by the aviation analytics company Cirium, the Texan airport has 131 departing flights per week, with three airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines, flying out of the airport in April 2024.
The largest airline in terms of one-way weekly flights out of LBB is American Airlines, with 53, with Southwest Airlines, which has 52 weekly flights, being in a close second. United Airlines has scheduled 26 weekly flights from the airport.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
Out of the 131 total departing flights, 101 are to other airports within Texas, including Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Dallas Love Field (DAL), Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
Related
Breaking Down The Busiest Airlines & Airports In Texas
There has been substantial growth across the state.
