Southwest Boeing 737 MAX Makes Emergency Landing in Florida
A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 flying from Orlando to an aircraft storage facility in California made an emergency landing Tuesday after the pilots reported an issue with one of the jet's engines, according to media reports. Southwest confirmed the incident, calling it an engine "performance issue," according to a transcript of pilots' conversations with air traffic controllers.
The Boeing 737 MAX is grounded worldwide, though the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is allowing airlines to operate the jets without passengers on "ferry flights" to facilities where they can be stored until they're cleared to fly again. The Southwest 737 MAX that experienced engine troubles was en route to Victorville Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV) for storage.
Though the Boeing 737 MAX 8 has been involved in two high profile incidents that have led to its grounding, emergency landings are not unusual across all aircraft types. The FAA said in a statement to CNBC that the engine-related emergency landing of the 737 MAX in Florida did not appear to be related to concerns raised in 737 MAX crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia.
But given its current level of scrutiny, any incident involving the 737 MAX, no matter how routine, is likely to draw attention.
As for the Southwest 737 MAX 8 involved in Tuesday's incident, the jet experienced a problem with one of its engines shortly after takeoff, according to reports.
Around 2:47 PM local time, the plane, operating as Southwest flight WN8701 departed Orlando International Airport (MCO) en route to Victorville in Southern California. Moments after takeoff, the pilots reported issues with one of the engines. The aircraft returned to Orlando and landed safely. No injuries have been reported.
The incident is being referred to as an engine performance issue. However, an Orlando TV station obtained audio it says details conversations between pilots and controllers. "We just lost our right engine. Need to declare an emergency," the audio says, according to WKMG TV.
Earlier this month, following two fatal crashes and mounting pressure from international transportation regulatory agencies, the FAA announced the Boeing 737 MAX would be grounded until further notice.
Investigations into the crashes continue, though Boeing's new MCAS system on its MAX jets has drawn scrutiny.
With the possibility that the Boeing 737 MAX may remain grounded for weeks or months, airlines have begun relocating their Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to airports for long-term storage. Southwest has moved many of its 737 MAX 8 aircraft to the Victorville facility.
Southwest flight WN8701 was operating as a one of those repositioning flights.
Southwest Airlines has issued the following statement regarding Southwest Airlines flight WN8701:
"Southwest Flight 8701 operating as a ferry flight with no passengers onboard returned to Orlando International Airport just before 3pm EDT after Pilots reported a performance issue with one of the engines shortly after takeoff. The Crew followed protocol and safely landed back at the airport. The flight was scheduled to fly to Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, Calif., for short-term storage. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 will be moved to our Orlando maintenance facility for a review."
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.