Boeing 737-900, N293AK: Incident occurred August 22, 2022 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (KSEA), Washington

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Seattle, Washington

Aircraft declared an emergency due to a loose panel on left wing and returned to airport.

Alaska Airlines Inc

https://registry.faa.gov/N293AK

Date: 22-AUG-22

Time: 14:48:00Z

Regis#: N293AK

Aircraft Make: BOEING

Aircraft Model: 737

Event Type: INCIDENT

Highest Injury: NONE

Aircraft Missing: No

Damage: UNKNOWN

Activity: COMMERCIAL

Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)

Operation: 121

Aircraft Operator: ALASKA AIRLINES

Flight Number: ASA558

City: SEATTLE

State: WASHINGTON

SEATAC, Washington — An Alaska Airlines flight bound for San Diego from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport was forced to return after part of the metal paneling that covers the engine became dislodged and eventually detached from the aircraft, the airline confirmed Monday.

Alaska Airlines Flight 558 reported an "unusual vibration" on the left side of the aircraft shortly after takeoff from Sea-Tac. The plane returned to the airport and landed safely, according to Alaska Airlines. 

The "cowling," which is part of the metal paneling that covers the engine, detached from the aircraft after the plane touched back down at Sea-Tac.

The aircraft, a Boeing 737-900ER, has been taken out of service while the airline's safety team investigates.

There were 176 guests and six crew members on the flight at the time.

"The two pilots who operated the flight have more than 32 years of combined flying experience," a statement from Alaska Airlines reads. "They, along with our flight attendants, handled the incident with tremendous professionalism and care. We also greatly appreciated the patience of our guests during this event."

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