A Houston-bound Southwest Airlines flight experienced a harrowing incident on Sunday as an engine cover detached and struck the wing flap, prompting the aircraft to return to Denver International Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that it will be undertaking an investigation into the matter.

According to air traffic control audio recordings, one of the pilots reported that both passengers and flight attendants heard a loud noise upon impact with the wing. Fortunately, no injuries were reported on the flight. Southwest Airlines, in a statement to CNN, expressed their apologies for the inconvenience caused to their passengers, assuring that their highest priority is the safety of their customers and employees.

Passengers on the affected flight will be transferred to another plane, causing a delay of approximately three hours for their journey to Houston. The maintenance teams at Southwest Airlines will thoroughly inspect the aircraft, which had departed Denver at 7:49 a.m. and returned at 8:15 a.m., reaching an altitude of about 10,000 feet during the flight. FAA records indicate that the aircraft was determined to be airworthy in May 2015.

Boeing, the manufacturer of the plane, declined to comment on the incident and redirected inquiries to Southwest Airlines for information regarding plane and fleet operations. This incident comes amidst a series of mechanical issues that have plagued Boeing aircraft across various airlines in recent months. The company has faced extensive scrutiny regarding the safety of their planes in recent years.

The FAA's investigation into the incident will aim to uncover the cause of the engine cover detachment and ensure that appropriate measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. Passengers and industry experts alike will be eagerly anticipating the results of this investigation, as safety remains a top concern for the aviation industry.