Southwest is stepping up its game, and you might want to check your flight status.
The airline has been canceling dozens of flights nationwide following an engine explosion that left one woman dead. Southwest says the cancellations are needed to voluntarily inspect all the engines in the CFM56 family, which powers nearly all of its fleet.
Inspectors believe it was a fan on one of those engines that came loose and broke off in flight sending debris through a plane window. The woman was killed after being partially sucked out of the broken window. Southwest says it hopes to disrupt travel plans for people as little as possible and will try and reschedule them to the best of its ability.
The airline says these inspections should hopefully be completed over the next thirty days. Southwest announced these inspections just ahead of a mandatory order by the FAA. The order applies to all CFM56 engines, specifically ones with more than thirty thousand total cycles.
According to the FAA that means 350 engines that need to be checked before you board.
About Brian
CBS News Radio national business journalist Brian Banmiller has spent more than 40 years in the news industry, covering business, politics and the economy on television, radio and in print. Currently, his “Banmiller on Business” reports are delivered to an audience of millions nationwide.
Popular Reports, Articles & Videos
Latest CBS Radio Reports
Top Articles
Top Videos
Brian's diverse experience and unique perspectives combine with his pleasant and personal manner to engage audiences on many levels. From his days as an Air Force squadron commander to his long career as a business journalist, commentator and public speaker, Brian's approach to speaking and presentation is thought-provoking, inspirational and creative.
"The Technology Tornado: Media & Communications in the Modern Era"
See highlights from Brian's recent Ernst & Young "Continuing Education Conference" speech and hear directly from conference attendees.
Phoenix Convention Center
August 28th, 2019
Additional speech samples / videos are available upon request. Contact Brian to learn more.
