On December 11, 2024, a Southwest Airlines flight faced a challenging situation when a tire burst during landing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The flight, which left Phoenix International Airport, had covered about 370 miles when disaster struck. The Boeing 737, departing at 7:21 PM UTC, was supposed to land at 8:22 PM UTC.

As the plane approached its destination, the tire on the main landing gear blew. It caused damage to the aircraft’s undercarriage and landing gear. The flight crew quickly responded and guided the plane to a safe taxi at Terminal 1. Ground crews inspected the aircraft, and fortunately, no injuries occurred. The crew’s swift actions ensured passenger safety.

The Boeing 737, with over 21 years of service, previously flew with another airline before Southwest Airlines acquired it. As of December 13, 2024, the aircraft remains grounded at LAX for repairs. It should return to service on the Los Angeles-Denver route after maintenance crews clear it.

Tire failures are rare but pose risks to flight operations. Southwest Airlines encountered a similar issue in June 2024 when another Boeing 737-800 suffered a tire failure during takeoff. No injuries occurred then, either. These rare events stress the importance of regular inspections and strict safety measures.

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