In recent news, a Southwest Airlines plane was forced to cancel takeoff and return to the gate at the Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport in Texas due to a reported engine fire. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, is now being investigated by federal officials, including the Federal Aviation Administration.

According to Southwest Airlines, the pilots detected a possible engine issue during pre-flight checks, prompting them to taxi the Boeing 737 back to the terminal. The Lubbock fire department later confirmed that there was indeed a fire in one of the plane's two engines, requiring immediate extinguishing.

The flight was originally bound for Las Vegas and had 154 passengers and a crew of six on board. To ensure their safety and continued travel, Southwest Airlines promptly arranged for a replacement plane to be flown in from Dallas, completing the journey later that Thursday evening.

Notably, the aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-800, an older model than the controversial 737 Max. The engines, responsible for the incident, were manufactured by CFM International – a joint venture between General Electric and France's Safran S.A., which will undoubtedly come under scrutiny as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Federal Aviation Administration is now focused on determining the cause of the engine fire and ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. Southwest Airlines, known for its commitment to safety, will also closely cooperate in the investigation and address any necessary maintenance or procedural changes.

Passengers and crew can be thankful for the swift actions taken by the pilots and the prompt response from both the Lubbock fire department and Southwest Airlines, which prioritized their safety and ensured their continued travel arrangements. As the investigation unfolds, aviation authorities will work diligently to guarantee the integrity of aircraft components and the overall safety of future flights.