In a frightening incident on Sunday morning, a Southwest Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing after the engine cover of the Boeing 737-800 aircraft detached during takeoff, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The flight, which was scheduled to travel from Denver to Houston, had to return to Denver International Airport just after 8:00 a.m. The airport and airline confirmed that the aircraft landed safely and was subsequently towed to the gate.

Crew members aboard the flight reported that "the engine cowling fell off during takeoff and struck the wing flap," as stated by the FAA, which is now investigating the incident. Southwest Airlines issued a statement acknowledging the mechanical issue and assured that the flight had landed safely.

Passengers on board captured footage showing a section of the aircraft hanging off and flapping in the breeze. A video taken by passenger Lisa C. captured the moment when the engine cowling came off, causing several passengers to cheer in relief as the plane made its way back to the airport.

Lisa C. described the incident, saying, "It all blew away... We all felt kind of a bump, a jolt, and I looked out the window because I love window seats, and there it was." Another passenger, Cooper Glass, expressed his fear during the experience and praised the pilot for a successful landing.

Southwest Airlines stated that affected customers were rebooked on alternative flights, while maintenance teams commenced an inspection of the aircraft. The extent of the damage and potential impact on future flights have yet to be determined.

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of regular aircraft maintenance and the critical role played by well-trained pilots in handling such emergencies. The FAA's investigation will shed light on the circumstances leading up to the engine cover detachment and ensure necessary measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.